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STAK-BEAMS 



OR, 



RAYS OF LIGHT. 



J. W. THOMAS 



" I am the bright and morning star."— Jesus. 

"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and 
ever."— T)anip:l. 



-MMjl ^ 



PEOVIDENCE : 
ANGELL, BURLINGAME & 00., PRINTERS. 

1875. 



^^<^^ 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1875, by 

J. W. THOMAS, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



PREFACE. 



This volume is not sent forth into the world pre- 
suming to give the light of the sun or of the moon, 
but in comparison with many other volumes only 
the light of a little star; hence the author has given 
it the modest title of Star-Beams or Eays of Light. 

Some good thoughts have been selected, but it 
is composed mostly of original articles, a portion 
of which have before appeared in various religious 
periodicals during several years past. The accep- 
tance with which they have met, and the encourage- 
ment which has been received from editors and 
from friends in different parts of the country, has 
led to their publication in the present form, that 
they may be more permanently preserved, and if 
possible more extensively circulated. If through 
the perusal of these pages, some sinner shall be- 
hold a ray of light, and be guided into the pathway 
of righteousness, some mourner see stars of hope 
in the night of affliction, or some saint be quick- 
ened to let his light shine more brightly before 
men, that they by seeing his " good works may be 
led to glorify their Father which is in Heaven," 
the desire of the author will be realized. 

J. W. Thomas. 
Providence, B, /., Feh. 6, 1875. 



CONTENTS 



1. — The Morning Star. 

2. — On the Lookout. 

3. — Abide in the Ship. 

4. — The Doubter's Voyage. 

5— A Word of Cheer. 

6.— -What is Needed. 

7.— More Power. 

8.— Go IN FOR It. 

9. — Experience. 
10. — The Cleft Rock:, 
11. — The Marked Sheep. 
12. — A Christian. 
13.— The Idle Christian. 
14.— Go TO Work. 
15. — Your Mission. 
16.— Keep Thy Heart. 
17.— Looking to Jesus. 
18.— Search the Camp. 
19.— A God Ready to Pardon. 
20.— Down Brakes. 
21.— Returning Home. 
1* 



CONTENTS . 

22.— The Desebt Rock. 

23.— Secret Prayeb. 

24. — A Weepings Wobld. 

25.— The Gbaye. 

26. — The Risen Jesus. 

27. — Joy in The Morning. 

28. — Home Religion 

29.— Right and Wbong. 

30. — Which kind of Religion. 

31. — Light in the Binnacle. 

32. — A Brother's Adyice. 

33. — The Mind of Jesus. 

34.— FORGIYENESS. 

35. — The Great Day. 

3(i.— Tenderness. 

37.— Health. 

38.— Marriage. 

39.— Comfort in Affliction. 

40.— ISTo Night There. 

41.— Salyation. 

42.— The Way to be Happy. 

43.— Rays of Light. 



THE MORNING STAR. 

Eey. XXII. 16. 

^' I am the bright and morning star." 

What a great variety of figures are 
employed in the Scriptures to represent 
the Saviour ! He is called the Way, the 
Door, the Vine, the Rock, the Fountain, 
the Physician, the Shepherd, the Advo- 
cate, the Bridegroom, the Captain, the 
Forerunner, the Branch, the Prince of 
Life, the Sun of Righteousness, and many 
other names and titles, all of which show 
forth his fulness, the excellency of his 
character, and furnish subjects for useful 
meditation. In the little text which I 
have chosen as the starting point of this 
discourse, he is represented as the Bright 
and Morning Star. It is the name by 
which he called himself among the con 
eluding utterances of that sublime reve- 
lation which was given to John on the 



8 Ray^ of Light 

Me of Patmos. ^' I, Jesus, have sent 
mine angel to testify unto you these 
things in the churches. I am the root 
and the offspring of David, and the 
bright and morning star." — Rev. 22 : 16. 

It is remarkable that in the opening 
and closing periods of the Christian dis- 
pensation, he is represented by a star. 
There is something very beautiful and 
expressive in this figure. A star. 

Who that admires beauty, does not 
like to stand on a hill-top, or sail on the 
water, or sit in some door-yard, on a 
mild summer evening, and gaze up into 
the starry heavens ? After the sun has 
gone down behind the western hills, one 
by one the little stars come peeping out, 
until all heaven is ablaze with their 
glory. 

'' I gaze on heaven's etherial dome, 
Star-spangled canopy of night, 
And in imagination roam 
Amid those radiant orbs of light." 

The stars were made to shine. . They 
spread their beauty through the heavens. 



The Morning Star, 9 

and make earth and sea radiant with 
celestial brightness. Night would be 
almost unendurable were there no stars 
to illuminate its darkness, but the Lord 
has wisely placed these lights in the fir- 
mament of heaven to eheer the sailor on 
the deep, the traveller in the wilderness, 
and to make glad the pathway of his 
children in this world. ^^ And the Lord 
said, Let there be lights in the firma- 
ment of heaven : let them be for signs- 
and for seasons, and to give light upon 
the earth," — Gen. 1 . 15. The stars not 
only give light, but they display their 
Creator's wisdom and glory. '' The heav- 
ens declare the glory of God, and the 
firmament showeth his handiwork." 

For the same reasons is the Saviour 
called a star. He is given for " signs " 
and for ^^ seasons," to shed '^ light upon 
the earth," and to '^ declare the glory of 
God." 

Was there ever such a bright luminary 
in the history of mankind ? There have 
indeed been other stars, and bright ones 



10 Hays of Light 

too, but none ever shone with such 
brightness as the morning star. 

There was Enoch and Noah, who lived 
in the days before the flood ; Abraham, 
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Eli- 
jah, Samuel, David, Isaiah, and many 
others, who shone brightly in their time, 
but the brilliancy of Immanuel surpassed 
them all. The rising of this Star had 
long been foretold. One of old ex- 
claimed when the spirit of prophecy 
came upon him, ^^ There shall come a 
star out of Jacob; and a sceptre shall 
rise out of Israel." Num. xxiv. 17. And 
another prophesied. ^^ The Lord himself 
shall give you a sign ; behold a virgin 
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall 
call his name Immanuel" Isa. vii. 14. 
When at length the time had arrived 
for these predictions to be^ fulfilled, a star 
appears in the eastern sky, and ^' wise 
men," laden with costly presents, start 
out in search of a new born sovereign. 
Coming to Jerusalem, they inquire, say- 
ing, " Where is he that is born King of 



The Morning Star. 11 

the Jews? for we have seen his star in 
the east, and are come to worship him.*" 
Having received instruction where he 
was to be born, and leaving ^' king Herod 
and all the city troubled," they set out 
for Bethlehem, and ^' lo, the star which 
they saw in the east," leads the proces- 
sion, and goes before them until it 
stands over where the young child was. 
It halts not at the palace of royalty or. 
the home of wealth, where the young 
prince may recline <m beds of down, 
but guides them to a stable, where they 
find a brighter "• Star," robed in " swad- 
dling clothes," and cradled in a manger. 
Here with a stable for his palace and a 
manger for his throne, they pay their first 
act of worship to him who is destined, 
ere long, to outrival in his shining all 
the monarchs of the universe. Angels 
announced his birth to the shepherds 
and made the night air resound with 
celestial music, singing '^ Glory to God 
in the highest, on earth peace and good 
will toward men." Surely a Bright 



12 Itays of Light 

Star has appeared. He can be none 
other than the Son of God, ^^ the bright- 
ness of his Father's glory and the ex« 
press image of His person." 

1. He shines with the brightness of 
Purity, What innocence and purity- 
shone around him while an infant in his 
mother^s arms. He was called a " holy 
child." Though partaking of human 
nature, born in a sinful world, surround- 
ed by sinful influences, and associating 
with sinful beings, yet he was without 
sin. No dark spot of evil was ever 
found upon him. He was tempted in all 
points like as others, but he did not 
yield to temptation. He passed through 
the world without soiling his garments. 
Purity dwelt in his thoughts, dropped 
from his lips and flashed in his eye. He 
did no sin, neither was guile found in 
his mouth. Wherever he went purity 
sparkled and danced around his path- 
way, like dewdrops in the morning star^ 
light. 

2. He shines Vvith the brightness of 



The Morning Star. 13 

Wisdom, He possessed a brilliant iutel- 
lect. There was nothing dull or clnmsj 
abont his imagination. His perception 
M^iis quick and clear. His thoughts were 
sharp and pointed. He was always 
ready with an answer to any question 
which might be asked him. At theac>;e 
of twelve years, he was found in the 
temple with the doctors and lawyers, 
asking and answering questions that as- 
tonished them. During his ministry his 
teachings were simple and plain. His 
parables and illustrations w^ere drawn 
from every day life. The children could 
understand him, and the common people 
heard him gladly, yet there was such a 
depth of wisdom in his utterances^ that 
he took the wise in their own craftiness 
and discomfited all his foes On one 
occasion when certain individuals had 
been sent to take liim, they returned 
and said, '^ Never man spake like this 
man." He drew waters from the eternal 
depths, and unfolded truths such as men 
never heard before. In him were hid 



14 Rays of Light, 

all the treasures of wisdom and knowl- 
edge. The wisdom of Solomon was 
greatj but a greater than Solomon was 
here. 

3. He shines with the brightness of 
Grace. Here his brightness exceeds all 
power of human conception. No hu- 
man intellect can fully comprehend the 
wonders of redeeming grace. Yet much 
of its splendor is seen. It was grace 
that brought him into this w^orld. 

The law w^as given by Moses, but 
grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 
He unfolded to men the character of his 
Father. God so loved the world, that 
he gave his only begotten Son, that who- 
soever believeth in him, should not per- 
ish, but have everlasting life. Ye know 
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, 
though he was rich, yet for your sakes 
he became poor, that ye through his 
poverty might be rich. 2 Cor. viii. : 9. 
What condescension was this ? Had the 
brightest archangel been commissioned 
to come down from heaven with the 

•^ '> 



The Morning Star. 15 

olive brancli of peace in his hand, signi- 
fying his Eternal Maker's readiness to 
be reconciled; on our bended knees, 
with tears of joy, and a torrent of thank- 
fulnes , we ought to have received the 
transporting news ; but when instead of 
such an angelic envoy, he sends his only 
begotten Son, his Son beyond all thought 
illustrious, to make us the gracious over- 
ture ; sends him from the habitations of 
his holiness and glory, to put on the in- 
firmities of mortality, and dwell among 
sinful men ; sends him not barely to 
make us a transient visit, but to abide 
many years in our inferior and miser- 
able world ; sends him not to exercise 
dominion over monarchs, but to wear 
out his life in the ignoble form of a ser^ 
vant ; and, at last, to make his exit un- 
der the infamous character of a malefac- 
tor ! Was there ever love like this? Did 
ever grace stoop so low ? Should the 
sun be shorn of all his radiant honors, 
and degraded into a clodoi the valleys ; 
should all the dignitaries of heaven be 



16 Rays of Light. 

deposed from their thrones, and degene- 
rate into insects of a day, great, great 
would be the abasement; but notliing 
to thine, most blessed Jesus ; nothing to 
thine, thou Prince of Peace; when, for 
us men and for our salvation, thou did'st 
not abhor the coarse accommodations of 
the manger : thou did'st not decline the 
gloomy horrors of the grave. He died 
yet he lives. For 

4. He shines with the brightness of 
Immortality. He w^as not a meteor or a 
shooting star flashing through the dark- 
ness with a sudde 1 brightness and then 
disappearing leaving the darkness more 
intense than before. J^o ! He shines 
with a steady perpetual brilliancy. He 
is the same yesterday, to-day and for- 
ever. 

Other lio-hts have shone brio;;htlv for 
a time and then disappeared. All the 
great and good of past ages have passed 
away. They blessed the world while 
they lived, but their light was soon ob- 
scured in the darkness of death. Not 



The Morning Star. 17 

so with this star. He ever liveth. In 
the days ol his flesh men tried to pie= 
vent him from shining. They persecuted 
him, lied about him, threw the mud and 
dirt of slander at him, but still he shone. 
They denied him, falsely accused him, 
spit in his face, stripped him of his rai- 
ment, clothed him in purple, crowned 
him with thorns, crucified him, buried 
him, and guarded his sepulchre. 

But on the morning of the third day 
he shone with greater splendor than 
ever. His sufferino;s and death were 
only dark clouds that passed before him, 
leaving him to shine on with the bright- 
ness of an '^ endless life.'' He broke 
the fetters of death, and ascended on 
high amid clouds of glory and hosts of 
j^ shining angels. Stephen, in his dying 
hour, and Paul on his way to Damascus, 
caught glimpses of his glory as he shone 
down from above, and John on the Isle 
of Patmos, saw him in unparalleled 
brightness, and heard his voice saying 
^' I am he that liveth and was dead; and 

2* 



18 Rays of Light 

behold, I am alive, for evermore, and 
have the keys of death and the grave. 
Rev. i, 18, But Jesus is not only a 
*' bright star ; " he is also the " morning 
star." He has pre-eminence above all 
other stars. He shines not toward sun- 
setting but toward sunrising. He is 
not the harbinger of night but of morn. 
Shining as the day begins to break, he 
gives token of advancing light Was it 
not a day daion when he first shone 
forth from Bethlehem ? The world was 
sleeping in the darkness of sin and ig- 
norance. Rome, Greece, Egypt and 
Babylon, with all their learning, knew 
not the true God. The Jewish Church 
was in a formal backslidden condition. 
Holy prophets, who saw the rising of 
that star in vision had passed away. 
Only now and then were a few holy 
watchers, who waited for the consola- 
tion of Israel. Good old Simeon beings 
led by the Spirit into the temple, when 
the young child was brought in, took 
the infant Savior in his arms, and blessed 



The Morning Star, 19 

God, and said, ^' Lord now lettest thou 
thy servant depart in peace, according 
to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy 
salvation which thou hast prepared be- 
fore the face of all people. A light to 
lighten the Gentiles and the glory of 
thy people Israel. Luke, ii. 28-29. 
Anna also, the prophetess, who departed 
not from the temple, but served God day 
and night with fastings and prayers, 
^' coming in that same instant gave 
thanks likewise unto the Lord, and 
spake of him to all them that looked for 
redemption in Jerusalem.'' Was not 
this star beautiful and glorious to those 
faithful ones, who had watched so long 
for the morning light ? A better day 
was near at hand. Zacharias also whose 
tongue was loosed after the birth of 
John, caught sight of the approaching 
day beams, and exclaimed, '' thou, child, 
shalt be called the prophet of the 
Highest, for thou shalt go before the 
face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 
to give knowledge of salvation unto his 



20 Rays of Liglit 

people by the remission of their sins, 
through the tender mercy of our God ; 
whereby the day spring from onliigh hath 
visited us, to give light to them that sit 
in darkess and in the shadow of death, 
to guide our feet into the way of peace.''' 
Luke i. 76-79. A few years pass and 
the voice of a strange lookino; man is 
heard crying in the wilderness of eJudea, 
^^ Prepare ye the way of the Lord make 
his paths straight." The whole region 
is stirred. Light is breaking. A great 
reformation sweeps through the commu- 
Dity. '' Then went out to him Jerusa- 
lem, and all Judea, and all the region 
round about Jordan, and were baptized 
of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." 
The proud, self-righteous Pharisees and 
Sadducees, hear of this strange preacher's 
wonderful success, and they go out to 
see what he is doing. When John saw 
them, he lifted up his strong, heart- 
searching voice and said, ^' O, generation 
of vipers, who hath warned you to flee 
from the wrath to come ? Bring forth 



Tlie Morning Star, 21 

therefore fruits meet for repentance : or 
answerable to amendment of life. And 
thinlv not to sa}^ witliin yourselves, We 
have Abraham to our Father : for I say 
unto you, that God is able of these 
stones to raise up children unto Abra-- 
ham. And now also the axe is laid 
unto the root of the trees ; therefore 
every tree which bringeth not forth good 
fruit is hewn down and cast into the 
fire. I indeed baptize you with water 
unto repentance: but he that cometh 
after me is mightier than I, w^hose shoes 
I am not worthy to bear : he shall bap- 
tize you with the Holy Ghost, and with 
fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he 
will thoroughly purge his floor, and 
gather his wheat into the garner; but 
he will burn up the chaff with un- 
quenchable fire. Then cometh Jesus 
from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be 
baptized of him. But John forbade him, 
saying, I have need to be baptized of 
thee, and comest thou to me? And 
Jesus answering said unto him^ suffer it 



22 Bays of Light 

to be so now: for thusitbecoraethus to 
fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered 
him. And Jesus when he was baptized; 
came up straightway out of the water, 
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto 
hinij and he saw the Spirit of God, de- 
scending like a dove, and lighting upon 
him : And lo, a voice from heaven, say- 
ing. This is my beloved Son, in whom 
I am well pleased. Matt. iii. 3. John 
the Baptist soon disappears. ''He was 
a burning and a shining light," but he 
had fulfilled his mission, and pointing 
his disciples to the One who was greater 
than himself said, "Behold the Lamb 
of God which taketh away the sin of 
the world." 

The bright and Morning Star now 
begins to ascend, rising higher and shin- 
ing brighter, until his fame is spread far 
and wide. Coming from the wilderness 
where he had been 'nemj)ted of the 
devil," he begins preaching, and per- 
forming miracles with wonderful power. 
Passing through the villages and towns. 



The Morning Star, . 23 

^" he came to Nazareth, where he had 
been brought up ; and as his custom 
was, he went into the synagogue on the 
sabbath day, and stood up for to read,* 
And there was delivered unto him the 
book of the prophet Isaiah. And w^hen 
he had opened the book, he found the 
place where it was written, " The spirit 
of the Lord is upon me, because he hath 
anointed me to preach the gospel to the 
poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken 
hearted, to preach deliverance to the 
captives, and recovering of sight to the 
blind, to set at liberty them that are 
bruised, to preach the acceptable year of 
the Lord." And the eyes of all them 
that were in the synagogue were fastened 
on him. And he began to say unto 
them ^' This day is this scripture ful- 
filled in your ears. And all bear him 
witness and wondered at the gracious 
words which proceeded out of his 
mouth. Luke iv. 16, 17. Is it a^y won- 
der that they listened attentively to 
such a preacher ? The words he spake 



24 Rays of Light 

were '* gracious words," — words full of 
grace. A new era had dawned. The 
loBg looted for Messiah had appeared. 
How highly favored were this people 
who listened to his voice, and saw the 
*^ shining of his power.'' 

Many prophets and righteous men had 
desired to see this day, but had not 
seen it: It was the day of grace, the 
day of salvation. Multitudes flocked 
to hear the wonderful preacher. By 
the seaside, in the wilderness, and on 
the mountain top, he proclaimed the 
wordB of everlasting life. Is it not as- 
tonishing that he should be rejected by 
the Jews ; Yet so it was. He came to 
his own, and his own received him not, 
but as many as did receive him, to them 
gave he power to become the sons of 
God. His followers were mostly from 
among the poor. Not in Jerusalem 
among the doctors and lawyers did he 
find men to be his apostles, but to the 
fishermen of Galilee he said, '^Follow me, 
and I will make you fishers of men,'^ 



Tlie Morning Star. 25 

"* They followed him, and with these he 
traveled, and toiled, and suffered. 
With these he watched, and wept, and 
prayed, with these he established his 
covenant, and left his parting benedic- 
tion. To these he gave the last great 
commission, ^' Go ye into all the world, 
and preach the gospel to every creature." 
Christ's ministery was short. Only a 
few years did the world have the bene- 
fit of his personal ministrations. While 
he was ^4n the world" he was the ^'light 
of the world" but when he went away 
he left his church to carry forward the 
great work of spreading the gospel, and 
to be witnesses of his resurrection. The 
church was now to be the lio;ht of the 
world. From the day of Pentecost where 
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost 
the light went forth. Every believer 
was a bright star. With wonderful ra- 
pidity the truth spread. Everywhere 
men heard the story of Bethlehem and 
of Calvary. Notwithstanding opposition 
and persecution raged, yet with wonder- 



26 Rays of Light . 

ful ^^ power gave tlie apostles witness of 
his resurrection." They affirmed that the 
Christ who had been crucified, and 
buried, was alive again, and had ascend- 
ed on high. The word of God grew 
mightily and prevailed. The old dis- 
pensation had passed away, and the day 
of gospel grace had been ushered 
in. The Morning Star was beginning to 
shed his beams over the dark nations of 
the earth. Since then the world has 
been lightened with his gospel. Un- 
numbered sinners in every land have 
caught sight of his glorious beams, and 
rejoiced in his heavenly light. Over 
eighteen centuries have passed away and 
still angels around the throne wait to 
rejoice over repenting sinners. This 
work, however, will not always continue 
Another change is coming. If the^;^^^ ris« 
ing of this Star ushered in the morning of 
Grace, His second rising will usherin the 
morning of Glory. A better day yet 
awaits this world — a day when all dark- 
ness shall take its flight, a day when there 



The Morning Star. 27 

shall be no more sin, when iniquity 
shall come to an end, when ^^evil work- 
ers," and those who love '^darkness bet- 
ter than light" shall be destroyed, when 
crime shall be done away, when there 
shall be no more wars^ strife, or divis^ 
ions in church or state, when there shall 
be no more poverty, no more financial 
failures, no more oppression, no more 
groans, and sorrows, and heartaches, no 
more watching by sick beds, no more 
farewells to the dying, no more weep- 
ings for the dead, but a day when there 
shall be peace, and light, and love, and 
joy unutterable, when loved ones shall 
meet and righteousness prevail, and 
death be destroyed, and the curse be re- 
moved, and the ^^ glory of God fill the 
earth, as the waters do the sea." That 
day will have its morning. Christ is the 
Morning Star. '^ I am the root and off- 
spring of David, and the bright and 
morning-star." ^' And this name is given 
to him not only because of the glory of 
his person and the brightness of his ap- 



28 Rays of Light 

pearing, but because of the time when 
lie is to appear. 

The first act at his appearing, when 
he comes in glory — the first indication 
of his arrival, while yet aloft *^ in the 
air," is likened to the shining of the 
Morning-star. Afterwards he shall come 
forth as " the Sun of righteousness," fill- 
ing the whole earth with his brightness, 
and shadowing the nations with his 
healing wings, (Mai. iv : 2.) ; but at 
first he shows himself as the Morning- 
star — big with the hope of day, yet not 
the day, brighter than all other stars 
and eclipsing all of them, yet not the 
Day-star ; forerunner of the sun, yet not 
the sun; foreteller of the dawn, yet not 
the dawn. 

" Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, 
If better thou belong not to the dawn: 
Sure pledge of day, thatcrown'st the smiling morn 
With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere, 
While day arises, that sweet hour of prime." 

We read in scripture of the eyelids 
of the morning ; and the morning star is 



The Morning Star, 29 

tlie first beam shooting from under these 
lids as they begin to re-open, that the 
eye of day may again irradiate the earth. 
It is only they who awake early that 
see the first opening of these eyelids, or 
gaze upon the morning-star, or breathe 
the morning freshness, or taste the morn- 
ing dew. So is it with those of whom 
it is said, ^^ Blessed and holy is he that 
hath part ia the first resurrection." To 
them come the quickening words, 
"Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust." 
Isa. XX vi. 19. Into their tomb the earli- 
est ray of glory finds its way. They 
drink in the first gleams of morning, 
while as yet the eastern clouds give 
but the faintest signs of its uprising. 
Its genial fragrance, its soothing still- 
ness, its bracing freshness, its sweet 
loveliness, its quiet purity, all so sol- 
emn and yet so full of hope, these are 
theirs. Oh the contrast between these 
things and the dark night through 
which they have passed ! Oh the 
contrast between these things and the 

3* 



30 Rays of Light 

grave from wMcli they have sprung! 
And as they shake off the encumber- 
ing turf, flinging mortality aside, and 
rising, in glorified bodies^ to meet 
their Lord in the air, they are lighted 
and guided upward, along the untrod- 
den pathway, by the beams of that 
Star of morning, which, like the 
Star of Bethlehem, conducts them to 
the presence of the King. There 
seems to be more periods than one 
(if times so very brief may be called 
by that name) opening out upon us 
when the Lord comes. Just as there 
are more scenes than one, and more 
acts than one, in the ^^ day of the 
Lord," so there are more periods than 
one. And it is interesting to notice 
these in connection with the Morn- 
ing Star. 

All the time up to the moment of his 
appearing is reckoned night Then 
the scenes change, and, step by step, 
the day with its full sunshine is 
brought in. First, there is the period 



TTie Morning Star, 31 

of the Morning-Star^ during which the 
dead saints awake and the living saints 
are changed ; then that which is sown in 
corruption is raised in incorruption, that 
which is sown in dishonor is raised in 
glory, that which is sown in weakness 
is raised in power, that which is sown a 
natural body is raised a spiritual body ; 
and then they that have long dwelt in 
dust awake and sing. In every land 
they have found a grave, and every land 
now gives up the sleeping clay. They 
come forth " in the beauties of holiness 
from the womb of the morning," like the 
ten thousand times ten thousand dew- 
drops of the night, made visible by the 
morning-star, and sparkling to its far 
coming glory. (Ps. ex. 3; Isa. xxvi. 19.) 
Next there is the period of the Twilight. 
This is the time when " the light shall 
not be clear nor dark," like 'Hhe morn- 
ing spread upon the mountains." (Joel 
ii. 2.) Then has the last battle strife 
begun ; then the Lord with his rod of 
iron is breaking his enemies in pieces 



32 Rays of Light 

like a potter's vessel ; then he cometh 
forth from his place to punish the in- 
habitants of the earth for their iniquity ; 
then, with all his saints, he executes the 
infinite vengeance, destroys Anti-Christ, 
lays waste the world with sore calamity 
and purging fire. 

Next there is The Morning. The 
enemy has disappeared ; each wreck that 
marked his dominion or his destruction 
is gone. The face of the earth is re- 
newed, the storm is laid to rest, and the 
glory of an unclouded sun and an un- 
sullied firmament makes creation sing 
for joy. The voice of the Beloved is 
heard, ^^Rise up, my love, my fair one, 
and come away. For lo, the winter is 
past, the rain is over and gone ; the flow- 
ers appear on the earth ; the time of the 
singing of birds is come, and the voice 
of the turtle is heard in our land ; the 
fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and 
the vines with the tender grape give a 
good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, 
and come away." (Sol. Song. ii. 10-13.) 



The Morning Star. 33 

Lastly, there is The Day in its full 
brightness. For the path of this Just 
One is like the shining light that shineth 
more and more unto the perfect day^ 
Of that day earth has never seen the like. 
For that day it waits in patient hope, 
struggling hard, meanwhile, with dark- 
ness, and labouring to throw off its long 
sad weio;ht of ill. 

It is as if the glory of the Lord, when 
first coming in sight of the earth, showed 
itself in the far distance, as the star of 
morning; token most welcome and hope- 
ful, recognized at once by those who 
knew the true light of the world, and 
who had often in other days looked out 
wistfully for the Star of Jacob. It is 
next^ as if the same glory when it neared 
the earth, showed itself in terrible ma- 
jesty as the sign of the Son of man, in 
seeing which all the tribes of the earth 
mourn ; for just as in the morning watch 
the Lord looked through the pillar of 
fire and cloud and troubled the host of 
the Egyptians, so, when he cometh with 



34 Ray^ of Light. 

clouds ^^ all kindreds of the earth shall 
wail because of him." It is, next^ as if 
the same glory of the Son of man, com- 
ing still nearer, took up its destined po- 
sition, and spread its skirts over earth 
as did the pillar-cloud over the tents of 
Israel. It is, lastly^ as if this glory, this 
more than shechinah splendor, showed 
itself as the Sun of righteousness, bear- 
ing healing in his wings, wherewith he 
heals the nations^ so that the inhabitants 
shall no more say I am sick ; wherewith 
he heals the earthy so that the curse takes 
its flight ; wherewith he heals the air^ so 
that it poisons no more. Then day shall 
utter speech to day in a way unheard of 
before; then shall their lines go through- 
out all the earth, and their words to the 
end of the world, when out of that 
''tabernacle which he hath set for the 
Sun," that Sun shall come forth as a 
bridegroom out of his chamber, rejoicing 
as a strong man to run a race. Then 
shall come to pass the saying that is 
written, '' Behold the glory of the God 



The Morning Star. * 35 

of Israel came from the way of the east, 
and his voice was like the noise of many 
waters, and the earth shined toiih his 
glory ^^'^ Ezek. xliii. 2. 

Then will he ^' destroy in this moun- 
tain the face of the covering cast over 
all people, and the vail that is spread 
over all nations. He will swallow up 
death in victory ; and the Lord God will 
wipe away tears from off all faces ; and 
the rebuke of his people shall he take 
away from off all the earth : for the Lord 
hath spoken it. And it shall be said 
in that day, Lo, this is our God ; we have 
waited for him, and he will save us: 
this is the Lord; we have waited for him 
we will be glad and rejoice in his salva- 
tion. In that day shall this song be 
sung in the land of Judah. We have 
a strong city; salvation will God appoint 
for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the 
gates, that the righteous nation which 
keepeth the truth may enter in." Isa. 
XXV. 7, 8, 9, and xxvi. 1^ 2. Then shall 
the " wilderness and the solitary place 



36 * Rays of Light. 

be glad for them; and the desert shall 
rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall 
blossom abundantly, and rejoice even 
with joy and singing: the glory of Leb- 
anon shall be given unto it, the excel- 
lency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall 
see the glory of the Lord, and the ex- 
cellency of our God." Isa. xxxv. 1, 2. 
Then shall '^ violence no more be heard 
in thy land, wasting nor destruction 
within thy borders ; but thou shalt call 
thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. 
The sun shall be no more thy light by 
day ; neither for brightness shall the 
moon give light unto thee ; for the Lord 
shall be thine everlasting light, and the 
days of thy mourning shall be ended. 
Thy people also shall be all righteous : 
they shall inherit the land forever." 
Isa. Ix. 18,19, 20. That day of glory, 
of resurrection, and eternal blessedness 
is hastening apace. Just how soon the 
Morning Star will appear I cannot say. 
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. 
Wise will we be if we are found with 



TJie Morning Star. 37 

our ''loins girded about, and our lights 
burning, and we like unto men that wait 
for their Lord. That when he cometh, 
and knocketh, we may open to him im- 
mediately." Blessed are those servants, 
whom the Lord when he cometh shall 
find watching. The true church will 
not b^ asleep. She will be awake, and 
anxiously looking out to behold the first 
glimmerings of morning light. " But ye, 
brethren, are not in darkness, that that 
day should overtake you as a thief. Ye 
are all the children of light, and the 
children of the day : we are not of the 
night, nor of darkness. Therefore let 
us not sleep, as do others; but let us 
Vv^atch and be sober. For they that 
sleep sleep in the night; and they that 
be drunken are drunken in the night. 
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, 
putting on the breastplate of faith and 
love ; and for a helmet, the hope of sab 
vation." 1 Thes. v. 4-8. 

It was the '' wise virgins" who took 
'' oil in their vessels with their lamps," 



38 Rays of Light. 

wlien they ^' went forth to meet the bride- 
groom," and it is " unto them that looh 
for him" that he shall appear the '^ sec- 
ond time without sin unto salvation." 
Signs in the moral, physical, religious 
and political world proclaim the morning 
near. '^ We have also a more sure word 
of prophecy ; whereunto ye do wSll that 
ye take heed, as unto a light that shin- 
eth in a dark place, until tha day dawn^ 
and the day-star arise." 2 Pet i. 19. 
As sailors on the deep, tossed by rest- 
less storms, look out for some guiding 
star by which they may reach the de- 
sired haven, so — 

'* We who long the wrath have borne. 
Of heaving surge and waihng wind, 

Look out to hail the endless morn, 
And watch its harbingers to find. 

Oh, that our Day Star may arise, 
Eesplendent o'er the gloom of night, 

And bless the longing watchers' eyes, 
With promise of unfading light." 

What now is the duty of every chris- 
tian ? Is it not to shine f Not to shine 



The Morning Star. 39 

with worldly pomp or splendor, not with 
wealth or high sounding titles, but to 
shine with the brightness of '^ pure re- 
ligion." The world is in darkness, it 
needs light. They who were ^^ sometimes 
darkness, but who are now light in the 
Lord, should let their light so shine 
before men that others by seeing their 
good works might be led to glorify God." 
As the stars are receptive of light from 
the Sun, and can only shine as they are 
shone upon^ so the christian must receive 
his light from Christ. He is the great 
light. From him we must receive the 
light of truth, of grace, and salvation. 
It is He that calls us out of darkness into 
his marvelous light. It is His spirit 
that illuminates our minds, and enables 
us to walk in the light, as He is in the 
light, and to have fellowship one with 
another. The entrance of His word 
giveth light. It is a light to our path, 
and a lamp to our feet. As the pillar of 
cloud and of fire went before the Israel- 
ites, lighting up their pathway through 



40 Rays of Liglit, 

the wilderness, and guiding them toward 
the promised land^ so Christ is the light 
of his people, following him they do not 
walk in darkness but have the light of 
life. If we follow on to know the Lord, 
we shall know his goings forth prepared 
as the morning, and we shall be able to 
say with the Psalmist, the Lord is my 
light and my salvation, whom shall I 
fear, the Lord is the strength of my life 
of whom shall I be afraid. Our path- 
way will grow brighter and brighter 
even unto the perfect day. Having then 
received light from Christ we are to let 
it shine. Be reflectors. Let your re- 
ligion shine out in every thought, word 
and act. Do not try to make your light 
shine, but let it shine. Religion is not 
something put on, it is a principle and a 
power in the heart, that controls the life 
and keeps it in harmony with the divine 
word. It is God working in us both to 
will and to do of his good pleasure. We 
are not to live for ourselves. If we are 
wise it will be our desire and aim to 



The Morning Star. 41 

'' turn many to righteousness." There 
are several ways by which we may do 
this. First, we may do it by the charm 
of a right Example, All our efforts will 
amount to but little, unless we live right. 
I have read a fable something like this. 
A child, coming from a filthy home was 
taught at school to wash its face. It 
went home so much improved in appear- 
ance that its mother washed her face, 
And when the father of the household 
came home and saw the improvement in 
domestic appearance, he washed Ms face. 
The neighbors happening in, saw the 
change and tried the same experiment, 
until all that street was purified, and the 
next street copied its example, and the 
whole city felt the result of one school- 
boy washing his face. The best way to 
get the world washed of its sins and pol- 
lutions is to have our own heart cleaned 
and purified. Nothing can take the 
place of personal religion. A man with 
grace in his heart, cheerfulness in his 
face, and holy consistency in his beha- 
4* 



42 Mays of Light. 

vior, is a perpetual sermon. He shines 
wherever he goes. In the prayer meet- 
ing, in his. home, on the street, in the 
workshop, he is a living epistle read and 
known of all men. When Moses came 
down from the Mount where he had been 
communing with God, his face shone. 
So the man who lives his religion from 
day to day, will have a radiance about 
him that will attract the attention of 
others. Men will take knovvledo;e of 
him that he has been with Jesus. Let 
your light shine then by setting a right 
example. 

We may turn many to righteousness 
by Frayer. An earnest christian worker 
once told me that ''he knew oi fifty 
persons who had been converted to God 
in answer to his praj^ers." Is not this 
encouraging? Prayer will often accom- 
plish what nothing else will. There is 
no such detective as prayer, for no one 
can hide away from it. It puts its hand 
on the shoulder of a man five thousand 
miles off. The boy who runs away from 



7 he Morning Star. 43 

home and goes to sea, may get beyond 
the sound of his mother's voice but he 
cannot get beyond the re^ch of her 
prayers. An answer to prayer may touch 
a, ship in mid ocean. Through prayer 
we may send telegraphic dispatches all 
over the world. Along the coast there 
are fog bells erected which are rung in 
foggy weather to warn mariners of dan- 
ger. We can alarm men by prayer when 
they are lost in the fog and darkness of 
sin. Prayer has done wonders. By the 
breath of prayer Elijah blew the clouds 
all out of heaven, and there was no rain 
for three years and six months. By the 
breath of prayer he blew them back 
again and there was an abundance of 
rain. By prayer Samuel brought thun- 
der and lightning from heaven. By 
prayer Joshua caught the Sun by its 
golden bit and it stood still. By prayer 
Daniel tamed the lions in their den. By 
prayer the three worthies walked un- 
harmed through the fiery furnace. By 
prayer the Holy |^Spirit came down on 



44 Mays of Light, 

the day of pentecost and three thousand 
souls were converted. By prayer Paul 
and Silas tore open the prison doors and 
shattered the foundations of the Philip- 
plan jail. There is no weapon so mighty 
as prayer. No person was ever yet con- 
verted without it. If we are christians 
it is because somebody prayed for us. 
No person can be saved without prayer. 
By prayer all can work. If you cannot 
preach you can praj^ If you canaot 
write you can pray. If you cannot sing 
you can pray. A minister once called 
on a member of his church who was con- 
fined to a sick bed. He found her mourn- 
ing to think that she was of so little ben- 
efit to any one. Said he, '' You are one of 
the most useful members of my church, 
for when I am preaching I know that 
you are praying for me.'' Pray on, pray 
on ye afflicted saints. Your prayers may 
bring many sinners to repentance. 
Praj'ing breath was never spent in vain. 
If you wish to shine in this world as a 
living Christian, then pray much. Pray 



The Morning Star- 45 

short, pray earnest, pray often, pray al- 
ways. Without ceasing, make mention 
of some one in prayer every day. Again, 
we may turn many to righteousness by 
Personal effort. If we would find the 
lost sheep we must go after it. Speak 
to somebody. Do not wait until you can 
make a formal speech. One word may 
be all that is needed. What multitudes 
there are who go to church from week to 
week, and yet who never speak to a sin- 
ner, nor make any personal effort to lead 
souls to Christ. I heard of a minister 
who preached from this subject. " Rec- 
oo-nition of friends in the future world." 
A gentleman was heard to remark on 
going out, "I think the minister would 
do well to preach about recognition of 
friends in this world, for I have attended 
this church twenty years^ and not one of 
the members has ever spohen to meP 
There is too much of this preaching at 
arms leno;th. We must come down and 
talk with the people if we would do 
them good. A kind word, a smile, a 



46 Rays of Light 

shake of tlie hand, a little tract given, 
has often been the means of turning men 
from the error of their ways. Much 
good may be accomplished by going 
from house to house, talking and praying 
with families, inviting them to meeting, 
and making them feel that you have an 
interest for them. Jesus went about 
doing good. He came to seek and to 
save the lost. Wherever he found a poor, 
bruised, penitent heart, he poured in 
the oil of consolation. No christian 
should be idle. Each and every one has 
a work to perform. We need not go far 
away. There is plenty to do near our 
own house. Begin right where you are. 
When Andrew had found the Savior, he 
w^ent and called his brother Simon and 
saith unto him, " We have found the 
Messias. and he brought him to Jesus." 
Go and do the same Be not contented 
to bring one^ bring many. What an in- 
ducement we have to labor for the sal- 
vation of souls. Daniel says, '' They 
that be wise shall shine as the brightness 



The Morning Star, 47 

of the firmament, and they that turn 
many to righteousness, as he stars for- 
ever and ever." What a rev^ard will 
this be ! As we look up into the sky, 
we notice that each star shines with a 
Distinct^ a separate glory. So it will be 
with the saints. In that future world 
we shall not lose our individuality. 
Each one will have his own body, occupy 
his own place, wear his own crown, shine 
with his own glory. In this w^orld some 
of the best christians are overlooked, un- 
noticed, unappreciated. They are 
crowded out, pushed one side, trodden 
down, and sometimes lost sight of amid 
the bustle and confusion of earth. Not 
so there. Heaven is large enough to 
give all a place. There will be a mani- 
festation ot the sons of God. Christ 
will call for his '' hidden ones." Not 
one shall there be overlooked. Putting 
around them the mantle of his glory, 
they shall shine separately, distinctly, 
" as the stars for ever and ever."^' 

Notice again^ that the stars shine in 



48 Hays of LigliL 

Groups. In looking up, you find the 
worlds in family circles. Orion in a 
group. The Pleiades in a group. The 
solar system is like a family of children 
with bright faces, gathered around one 
great fireplace. The planets do not 
wander ofi*, and lose sight of each other. 
They go in squadrons and fleets, sailing 
through immensity. There will be fam- 
il}^ groups in Heaven. The saints shall 
dwell in neighborhoods and clusters. 
Yonder I see a constellation of Patri- 
archs. Noah with some of his family 
who were saved in the ark. Abraham 
with his children, who were sojourners 
in a sti ano;e land. Jacob with his sons. 
Moses with some whom he led through 
the wilderness. Yonder by the river of 
life, I see a group of prophets and apos- 
tles. How brightly they shine, how 
peacefully they dwell together. Yon- 
der, under the tree of life 1 see a clus- 
ter of martyrs, who came out of great 
tribulation, and w;ashed their robes and 
made them white in the blood of the 



Tlie Morning Star. 49 

Lamb. Yonder is Latimer and Ridley, 
and John Huss, who were faithful unto 
death. Yonder is John Bunyan who 
has now reached the Celestial City he so 
beautifully described. O yes, all around 
amid tjie groves^ and on the hillsides of 
Paradise I see family circles. There we 
shall visit each other, talk together, and 
never be afraid of sickness or separation. 
Is this so ? " They shall come from the 
east, from the west, from the north and 
from the south, and shall sit down in 
the kingdom of God." Luke xiii. 29. 
Yes, we shall shine in family groups, ^'as 
the stars forever and ever." 

Again, they shall shine as the stais in 
Nitmher. Who can count the stars ? 
Li a clear night we can see countless 
multitudes of shining orbs. It was said 
to one of old, '^ Thy seed shall be as the 
stars of heaven, and as the sand on the 
sea shore, innumerable." There are 
some who think only their sect will 
shine in glory. They only have the 
truth, they are the chosen ones, and 

5 



50 Rays of Light 

none can be saved except thej^ follow 
them, and subscribe to their creed. Eli- 
jah once got this sectarian spirit. He 
said, ^'Lord, they have digged down 
thi ^e altars, slain thy prophets, and I 
only am left." But the Lord answered 
him, " I have yet seven thousand men 
who have not bowed the knee to BaaV 
The Lord still has his people. We are 
mistaken, if in our narrow mindedness 
we shut out all who do not believe as 
we do, or who do not belong to our 
church. All over the land, in cities and 
towns, in nooks and corners, on moun- 
tains and in valleys, are those who have 
the mark of the good Shepherd. How 
many did John see when he had a vision 
of the redeemed ? First he says, '* I saw 
an handred and forty and four thousand 
which were sealed out of the twelve 
tribes of the children of Israel.'^ What 
else did you see, , John ? ^^ After this I 
beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which 
no man could number, of all nations and 
kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood 



Tilt Morning Star. 51 

before the throne and before the Lamb^ 
clothed with white robes and palms in 
their hands. Rev. vii. 9. 

O yes, there will be a countless mul- 
titude in that better w^orld. In numbers 
they will shine ^^ as the stars forever and 
ever." 

Again,, the stars of heaven shine in 
Harmony. The planets move with great 
speed, yet there is no collision, no gra- 
ting, no running across each others track. 
All the worlds of light that whirl 
through space are in harmony. There 
will be no discord among the redeemed. 
In this world there is much that is out 
of order. The machinery of nations 
grates and chafes fearfully. In the 
church there are strifes and divisions. 
All do not see things alike. Creation 
groans and travails in pain awaiting a 
better day. Here there is no complete 
and abiding harmony. There is antag- 
onism, opposition in all circles. In the 
world to come there will be none of this- 
All the wrongs of earth will then be 



52 Rays of Light. 

rectified. Everything will be harmo- 
nious. No discord in the music of heaven. 
" And they sung a new song, saying, 
Thou art worthy to take the book, and 
to open the seals thereof: for thou wast 
slain, and hast redeemed us to God by 
thy blood out of every nation ; and hast 
made us unto our God kings and priests: 
and we shall reisrn on the earth." Rev. 
v, 9. In sweet and undisturbed har- 
mony will they shine ^' as the stars for- 
ever and ever." 

Again, they shall shine as the stars 
in Perpetuity. The same stars that 
look down upon us looked down on 
the shepherds of Bethlehem, The stars 
that fought against Sisera, in their 
their courses, wear the same bright armor 
to-night. When Adam and Eve walked 
in the garden of Eden in the cool of the 
day,they saw the same stai's which we be- 
hold. To the ancients the stars were 
symbols of eternity. The saints shall 
live forever. All things here fade and 
pass away. The grass withers, the 



The Morning Star. 53 

flowers die, the leaves fade. Change 
and decay is indelibly written upon every 
object around us. Man partakes of the 
general instabilityo He is mortal. He 
comes forth like a flower, and continu- 
eth not. The earth itself shall pass 
away. But it will not be so in the hea- 
venly world. The kingdom promised is 
an everlasting kingdom. The bodies of 
the redeemed will be immortal bodies. 
This mortal shall put on immortality^ 
this corruptible incorruption. The 
crowns they wear will be fadeless crowns. 
The life they live will be eternal life. 
The song they sing will be an endless 
song. The glory they enter into will be 
perpetual glory. The brightness with 
which they shine will be an everlasting 
brightness, " for they that be wise shall 
shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
and they that turn many to righteous- 
ness as the stars for ever and ever." 

6* 



54 Rays of Light 



ON THE LOOKOUT. 

Mark xiii. 37. 

** What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.^' 

^' Live and learn" is a motto which 
every individual capable of learning 
should adopt. We are never too old to 
learn. We should begin when we are 
young and keep on learning all the way 
through life. Learn from everybody, 
from everything and in every place. 
Wherever we go we should keep our 
eyes open, and never think ourselves 
too wise to learn more, or too good to 
improve, ^^ Mind not high things but 
condescend to men of low estate. Be 
not wise in your own conceits," are in- 
junctions which we shall do well to al- 
ways bear in mind. Seldom do I take 
a walk in the field, ride along the road, 
journey in the cars, or sail on the water, 
but what I see something to instruct, 



On tilt Loohoiit. ' 55 

and to suggest thoughts for my practical 
improvement. Not long ago I had oc- 
casion to take a journey of nearly two 
hundred miles in the night season. 
Thinking it might be pleasanter to go by 
water, I stepped on board of a noble 
steamer, and was soon gliding sw^eetly 
away over the billows. It was a beau- 
tiful moonlight evening, and as the cap- 
tain was a friend of mine I spent much 
of the time in the pilot-house, talking 
and gazing at whatever might be seen 
along the coast. Not long after having 
left the wharf, I noticed that one man 
took his position on the bow of the 
boat, and kej)t constantly walking 
around on the deck, and looking out on 
either side and ahead, to see what might 
be seen. At first I supposed he would 
only remain there until the vessel got 
out of the harbor ; but seeing that he 
continued in this position far into the 
hours ot night, I inquired what it meant, 
as I was not fully acquainted with the 
mauner of running steamboats, and I 



56 Mays of Light. 

reallj began to have some sympathy 
for the man who was taking so much 
of the cold sea breeze. '^Oh," said the 
captain, '' he is the bow watch. He 
watches there all night." As soon as 
the steamer leaves the wharf, he takes 
his position on the bow of the boat, and 
watches through the night until morn 
ing. "Whether the weaiher is cold or 
warm, pleasant or unpleasant, still he 
keeps at his post. He is employed for 
this very purpose, and the law requires 
every steamer to have a watchman. 
Faithfully did he perform his duty. All 
night long, as the vessel ploughed 
through the waves, and while the pas- 
sengers were quietly sleeping, he walk- 
ed the deck, looked out for dangers, and 
was ready to give the alarm in case he 
saw anything that required it. How 
suggestive was this circumstance to my 
mind. When I came down from the 
pilot-house, I could not pass him with- 
out quoting this passage of scripture, 
'' What I say unto you I say unto all, 



R.^' 



On the Lookout 57 

watch." I thought here is a lesson for 
me. The Christian is a voyager. Ht3 
is sailing along the coast of Time. It ia 
night. Dangers and perils abound. 
There is no time to sleep. He must b-i^ 
on the lookout continually. Ministers 
of the gospel are set as watchmen on 
the walls of Zion. Their own safety and 
the safety of others depends upon their 
vigilance. If the watchman on the 
steamer had fallen asleep, who knows 
but that he and all the passengers would 
have found a watery grave ? No doubt 
many to-day are sleeping in old ocean's 
depths the victims of some officer's un- 
faithfulness. And who knows how many 
men and women have gone down to 
the grave without hope in Christ, be- 
cause the watchmen in Zion did not do 
their duty? 

The Captain of our salvation has com- 
manded us all to watch. We must 
watch ourselves that we keep alive and 
wide awake. We must watch our 
thoughts, words, and actions, that we 



58 ^ays of Light 

do not fall into a stupid, drowsy, 
dreamy state of mind, or allow ourselves 
to become intoxicated with worldly 
pleasures and thereby be unfitted to 
discharge the spiritual duties of life. 
Watch unto prayer and be sober. We 
must remember our responsibility. 
Watch for souls. Perhaps some poor 
shipwrecked brother is struggling for 
life in the dark waters of sin and temp- 
tation. Give him your hand. Help him 
out. Throw the rope of salvation. 
Fling out the life-buoy. Tell him of 
Jesus, and of the blood that saves 
There are men and women all around 
us who need help. Let us watch for op- 
portunities to speak to them some word 
of kindness. One word, one look, one 
tract given, may save a soul from death 
and place another star in your crown 
that shall sparkle forever and ever. 
Watch ior dangers. Alarm the careless. 
Wake up the sleepers. Tell them there 
is danger ahead. The ship of Time will 
soon collide with the Judgment Throne. 



On the LookouL 59 

See the breakers roll high on the lee 
shore of eternal destruction ! Put 'on 
the life preservers. Flee from the wrath 
to come. Look aloft to Him who is 
able to save. Set your affections on 
things above, and then the attractions 
of heaven will be stronger than the 
attractions of earth, and when the Good 
Pilot appears, he will conduct you safe- 
ly into the Celestial Harbor, and so you 
will be " forever with the Lord.'' 

'^ What I say unto you, I say unto all. 
Watch !'' ^ 



60 Rays of Light 



ABIDE IN THE SHIP. 

Acts xxvii. 31. 

*^ Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be 
saved.'' 

Paul was an old sailor; not from oc- 
cupation, but from frequency of travel 
He knew what it was to be in '^ perils 
on the deep," and no doubt he could 
have taken a vessel across the Mediter- 
ranean quite as safely as any experi- 
enced sea captain. He was now making 
a trip to Rome, and this voyage, though 
one of the most perilous, was yet the 
most successful voyage he ever made. 
The ship was lost, but he had a blessed 
revival, and saved all on board, two 
hundred and seventy five souls, Paul 
was shipped as a prisoner, but he was 
promoted to captain, for he liad the 
whole crew looking to him for salva- 
tion. It takes the Almigkty to work 



Abide in the Ship. 61 

wonders. He can send out a storm on 
the sea^ and bring wicked sailors and 
soldiers to bow at his feet in answer to 
the prayers of a righteous prisoner. Had 
the centurion and managers of the ship 
heeded the advice given by Paul, much 
of the damage might have been avoided. 
He foresaw the danger to which they 
would be exposed and said to them, 
" Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will 
be with hurt and much damage; not 
only of the lading and ship, but also of 
our lives." So now, the Lord's servants 
often give good advice to the young, 
but it is not heeded, and consequently 
many are overtaken by the storms of 
sin and temptation. ^' Nevertheless, the 
centurion believed the master and the 
owner of the ship, more than those 
things which were spoken by Paul. 
And because the haven was not com- 
modious to winter in, the more part ad- 
vised to depart thence also, if by any 
means they might attain to Phenice, 
and there to winter ; which is an haven 



62 Mays of Light 

of Crete, and lietli toward the south- 
west and northwest. And when the 
south wind blew softly, supposing that 
they hi.d obtained their purpose, loosing 
thence, they sailed close by Crete. 

But not long after there arose against 
it a tempestuous wind, called Eurocly- 
don. And when the ship was caught, 
and could not bear up into the wind, 
we let her drive. And running under a 
certain island which is called Clauda, 
we had much work to come by the boat, 
which when they had taken up, they 
used helps, undergirding the ship ; and, 
fearing lest they should fall into the 
quicksands, strake sail, and so were 
driven. And we being exceedingly 
tossed with a tempest, the next day they 
lightened the ship. And the third day 
we cast out with our own hands the 
tackling of the ship. And when neither 
sun nor stars in many days appeared, 
and no small tempest lay on us, all hope 
that we should be saved was then taken 
away." What a scene to contemplate. 



Abide in the Ship. 63 

Two hundred aud seventy-five souls in 
despair. The winds howled, the sea 
roaredj the vessel tossed, no stars ap- 
peared — ^' all hope that they should be 
saved was taken away." So it is in life, 
we like to have our own way, until 
God sends out some storm of affliction, 
and shows us that earthly hopes are 
vain, and that he alone can deliver. 
Man's extremity is God's opportunity. 
But were all on that vessel in despair? No. 
There was one who was calm and trust- 
ful. It was Paul. Far beyond the 
storm and clouds he could see the 
^' bright and morning star." His faith 
did not waver. After long abstinence 
he stood forth in the midst of them and 
said. " Sirs, ye should have hearkened 
unto me, and not have loosed from 
Crete, and so have gained this harm 
and loss. And now I exhort you to be 
of good cheer ; for there shall be no loss 
of any man's life among you, but of the 
shi}). For there stood by me this night 
the angel of God, whose I am, and whom 



64 ^ Hays of LigTit. 

I serve, saying, '^ Fear not, Paul, thou 
must be brought before Caesar ; and, lo, 
God hath given thee all them that sail 
with thee, Wherefore, sirs, be of good 
cheer; for I believe God that it shall 
be even as it was told me." Blessed 
faith that could triumph in the midst 
of uch a storm ! What a strong refuge 
they have who trust in the living God. 
He is the God of the sea as well as of 
the land. Paul was now master of the 
whole company. God had exalted him 
in their midst, and they were now to 
obey his orders. " When the fourteenth 
night was come, and we were driven up 
and down in Adria, about midnight, the 
shipmen deemed that they drew near to 
some country. And sounded and found 
it twenty fathoms; and when they had 
gone a little further, they sounded 
again and found it fifteen fathoms. Then 
fearing lest we should have fallen upon 
rocks, they cast four anchors out upon 
the stern, and wished for the day. And 
as the shipmen were about to flee out of 



Abide in the Sfiip. 65 

the ship, when they had let down the 
boat into the sea, Paul said to the cen- 
turion and to the soldiers, ^^ Except these 
abide in the ship ye cannot be saved.'^ 
Salvation depended on their abiding in 
the ship. Reader, are you in the gos- 
pel ship ? Have you fled to Christ for 
salvation ? Are you sailing toward the 
heavenly port ? Abide in the ship. If 
storms arise and your sky is mantled 
with clouds look aloft. There is one 
who controls the winds and waves. 
Hear His voice louder than the tempest's 
roar." " Be of good cheer." Do not 
backslide. Stay on board. The storm 
will soon be over. The land heaves in 
view. The morning dawns. Wait. The 
captain will bring you safe into harbor. 

" Christ is my pilot wise. 
My compass is his word; 
My soul each storm defies, 
Whilst I have such a lord, 
I'll trust his faithfulness and power 
To save me in the trying hour.'' 

6* 



66 Hays of Light 



THE DOUBTER'S VOYAGE. 

Acts xxyii. 20. 

" All hope that we should be saved, was then taken 
away." 

'' My little barque is tempest tossed. 

Far out upon the billowy tide, 
Alas ! I fear it must be lost, 

It cannot long in safety ride ; 
Above, below me, and around. 

Is murky darkness, sea and cloud 
Enfold me in the gloom profound, 

'Tis very like the dead man's shroud. 

Anon I rise on billows high. 

Anon, sink down in caverns deep; 
The sea-birds close about me fly. 

They scream, as o'er my head they sweep; 
I see no glimmering beacon light. 

That sends its friendly rays to me. 
To mark a path of silvery light, 

Through the black stygian turbid sea; 

And gloomy doubts of unbelief, 

Have drifted me away so far 
From all that can afford relief. 

And hide, by clouds, hope's beaming star, — 



The Douhtei'^s Voyage, 67 

For other voyagers there may be^ 

A beacon and a haven fair, 
Alas ! alas ! there is none for me, 

I shall go down in dark despair. 

I would be saved, and join the soqg, 

The multitude redeemed shall sing, 
But I have drifted now so long, 

My barque to port I cannot bring; 
And so I drift, with listless heart, 

Or gloomy, sighing, sad despair; 
Oh, would some tear relieving start, 

But nought can move this load of care.'' 

A WOED OF CHEER. 

" Be of good cheer.'* 

" Ho I doubter, hoi there is relief I 

Signal the pilot, do'nt delay! 
He knows the shoal, the rock, the reef, 

The channel, and the peaceful bay. 
Let faith and hope now cheer thy heart, 

Bid every doubt and fear be gone, 
Bid every anxious care depart, 

The night must ever yield to morn. 

That Pilot knows thy heart full well. 

He knows how frail thy tossing barque. 
Thy woes and conflicts he can tell, 

He knows thy voyage is drear and dark; 
He'll guard thy boat through the dark sea, 

He'll speed it through the crested foam; 
There is a harbor sure for thee, 

There is a glorious sunlit home. 



68 Rays of Light, 

He comes to thy relief, rejoice! 

Thy stormy voyage is almost o'er; 
List to his cheery, loving voice. 

He'll bring thee to the golden shore. 
What matter, if the waves run high ? 

Thoul't smile while he is at the helm; 
Though they mount upward to the sky, 

They never can thy barque o'erwhelm. 

The stormy tempest soon will cease, 

The clouds now break, and every star 
Of hope and promise now bringeth peace; 

The beacon light shines out afar; 
Oh, see the fleet approach the bay ! 

iSaints of all ages hear the band 
Of angels singing, Come away, 

Thrice welcome to the Eden land. 

Soon, soon, thoul't anchor in the bay, 

Whose silvery wavelets belt the shore, 
Where golden beams amidst the spray, 

Make rainbow tints for evermore; 
And thou shalt find a welcome there, 

God's own soft hand shall wipe away 
Each trace of sadness, and thoul't share, 

The bliss, the joy with saints for aye." 



What is Needed. 69 



WHAT IS NEEDED. 

Luke v. 4. 
" Launch out into the deep." 

Deeper water. We have been iisliing 
too near the shore. It is no wonder 
that we have toiled long and caught 
nothing. There are plenty of fish out a 
little further. Launch out and drop the 
net. The disciples anciently had fished 
all night but had been unsuccessful. 
Their nets had gathered nothing. They 
had been^ dragging them about in shal 
low water. Jesus told them to launch 
out into the deep, and let down their 
nets- At his command they did so, and 
behold they had more fish than they 
knew what to do with. They called to 
their brothers to help them for fear that 
their nets would break. This lesson is 



70 Hays of Light 

instructive. From it we may gather 
some useful hints. There are many dis- 
ciples to-day who have toiled long in 
the master's vineyard, and are almost 
discouraged, because they have caught 
nothing. They have good desires and 
do many good things, yet they do not 
succeed in winning souls to Christ. 
What is the trouble ? They need to 
launch out into a deeper ^Mristian ex- 
perience. Their religion is too much on 
the surface. It does not go deep enough. 
They have a mere form of godliness 
without the power. In these days it 
does not require much change in a 
worldly person to become a member of a 
church. The standard of nominal Chris- 
tianity is so low that it is difficiilt to dis- 
tinguish between those who profess re- 
ligion, and those who make no profession. 
If an individual sheds a few tears, rises 
for prayers, he is hurried into the church, 
his name enrolled, and he considered a 
member in good standing, and all right 
for another world ; when, perhaps, the 



What is Needed. 71 

fact in the case is, he has not been con 
verted at all. There is a difference be- 
tween a modern revival and an old- 
fashioned reformation. In ancient times 
men were convicted of sin. They were 
made to feel their lost condition. The 
deep and bitter sorrows of repentance 
pierced their hearts. Under the faith- 
ful preaching of the gospel, they were 
made to see that they had sinned against 
a holy God, and were guilty of death. 
They were shown the necessity of renoun- 
cing their own will, and of submitting 
unreservedly to the will of God. They 
saw that there was a wide distinction 
between those who served the Lord and 
those who served him not. They re- 
pented, they came out from the world, 
they put on the whole armor of God, 
they lived holy lives, and the change in 
them was marked and visible. They 
had a deep, thorough, Christian experi- 
ence. They knew the Gospel as the 
power of God to their own salvation. 
They could tell their experience because 



72 Rays of Light 

they had one to tell. They could preach 
Christ, because they knew him as their 
personal Saviour. They were living 
epistles read and knov^n of all men. 
They lived in the spirit, walked in the 
spirit, prayed in the spirit, preached in 
the spirit, sung in the spirit, kept the 
unity of the spirit, and had fellowship 
one with another. Such a religion as 
that was a mighty power among men. 
Sinners would tremble because God was 
with his people. Now, just what mul- 
titudes of professors need to-day is a 
deep, thorough, heart-searching^ reno- 
vating, sin cleansing gospel. They need 
to repent to turn to God, to cut loose 
from the world, to consecrate all to 
Christ, to launch out in faith, love and 
obedience; trusting in God, and pray- 
ing for the Holy Ghost to come down in 
mighty power. This done, and sinners 
would come in multitudes with penitent 
hearts, bowing at the feet ot Jesus. O, 
let us launch out and know more of 
Christ, of God, and of heaven. There 



What is Needed. 73 

are heights, and depths and lengths and 
breadths in the love of Christ which we 
have not yet experienced. The Lord 
will do great things for his people, if 
they will only let him. How is it reader, 
do you not want more religion ? Have 
you not been paddling round in shoal 
water altogether too long ? Are you 
not dissatisfied with your present experi- 
ence ? Launch out, launch out, there is 
something better for you. Say with 
Paul, '^ forgetting those things which 
are behind, I press toward the mark for 
the prize of the high calling of God in 
Christ Jesus." 

Again, might not this subject suggest 
the thought that some fishermen would 
do well to change their fishing ground. 
They have fished too long in one place. 
They ought to have launched out into a 
new field long ago. Some ministers 
have run in the old ruts, and preached 
to the same congregations for years. No 
great results have foll(fwed their labors. 
This should not be so. No minister 



74 Hays of LigJit. 

should tarry long in a place where he is 
not successful. If you cannot catch fish 
in one locality flee to another. Thp 
world is large. Launch out into the 
deep. Go into the regions beyond 
Dont hive up in one little pen. Trust 
in the living God, and go where men 
have not been preached to death. Let 
down the Gospel net in faith and prayer. 
Be humble and willing to obey the mas- 
ter in all things. Go into school-houses, 
private houses, in groves, in tents, in 
mission chapels, in bethels, on ship-board, 
among sailors, anywhere and every- 
where. Drop the net on the right side 
and you will be astonished at the result. 
Up and away. Do something. Men are 
perishing. Time flying. Eternity has- 
tening. Launch out into the deep. 



More Power, 75 



MORE POWER. 
1 Thes. I. 5. 

** Our Gospel came not in word only, but in power." 

More power is needed. Man is weak. 
He is not sufficient of himself to preach 
the Gospel. His knowledge is limited. 
Prejudice is strong. Enemies are nume- 
rous. No man can live a Christian, nor 
perform Christian work in his own 
strength. Education is good. A know- 
ledge of the Scripture is important. An 
unblemished reputation is desirable. 
To know the truth and to be associated 
with good men is an advautage, but all 
of this is not enough to qualify a person 
for successful Christian service. There 
must be an internal work — a thorough, 
personal, experimental knowledge of the 
power of God in one's own heart. 
Nothing will take the place of this. All 
the outward fixings and equipages as 



76 Hays of Light 

useful as they may be in their place will 
not answer for that change which must 
be wrought in the heart by the power of 
the Holy Spirit. 

The soil of the natural heart must be 
broken up; the thoughts, purposes, will 
and affections must be turned from their 
natural course into harmony with the 
will of God. It requires power to do 
this. No human learning or eloquence 
is sufficient. It must be the power that 
worketh effectually in those that be- 
lieve-" When this is experienced, then 
the individual may be able to exclaim 
with the apostle Paul, " I am not 
ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for 
it is the power of God unto sal- 
vation to every one that believeth ; to 
the Jew first, and also to the Greek.'' 
Paul had experienced this power. He 
knew what he was talking about. It 
was not the power of truth alone — but 
the power that accompanies truth — the 
saving, cleansing, subduing, transform^ 
ing power of the Holy Spirit. Paul did 



More Power. 77 

not prescribe for others a medicine, the 
efficacy of which he had not proved. 
He knew the efficacy, the glorious, un- 
speakable efficacy of the ''gospel of 
Christ," It was the power of God unto 
his salvation." No wonder that he 
should exclaim as he did on another oc- 
casion. '' This is a faithful saying and 
worthy of all acceptation, that Christ 
Jesus came into the world to save 
sinners of whom I am chief." He 
had been a great sinner, but he was 
gloriously saved. He thought that he 
ought to do " many things contrary to 
the name of Jesus of Nazareth," but he 
found that Jesus whom he persecuted 
was the only one who could make 
him every whit whole. Now, when 
this apostle preached, it was not with ex- 
cellency of speech, or with enticing 
words of man's wisdom," but in " demon- 
stration of the spirit and of p^wer." He 
lived so near to God, and had such in- 
timate communion with heaven, that 
those to whom he preached caught the 

7* 



78 Mays of Light 

glow of the heavenly spirit that was iu 
him, and " became followers of him, even 
as he was of Christ ; " their ^^ faith stood 
not in the wisdom of men, but in the 
power of God." 

So it was with all the apostles. Men 
took knowledge of them that they had 
^' been with Jesus." They were endued 
with ''power from on high." Some of 
them were unlearned and ignorant men 
— poor fishermen, called from their boats 
by the sea side to follow the great 
Teacher, commissioned and anointed to 
preach the glorious gospel. It was a 
simple story that they told — -the story 
of Jesus of Nazareth, but they believed 
what they preached, and there was such 
power connected with it, that hard 
hearted sinners wilted and fell on every 
side, and cried imt in the bitterness of 
their hearts, " Men and brethren what 
shall we do ?" Then these apostles were 
in their element — they knew just what 
to say to convicted sinners, " Repent and 
be baptized, every one of you in the 



More Power. 79 

name of Jesas Christ, for the remission 
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of 
the Holy Grhost. For the promise is un- 
to you and your children, and to all 
them that are afar off, even as many a^ 
the Lord our God shall call." This prom- 
ise reaches to us — " to all that are afar 
off." It embraces every one who re 
pents, and belie v^es the gospel until the 
last heir of glory is sealed with the holy 
spirit. The Gospel must be preached 
with power. It must be received in power 
and lived in power. Paul asked certain 
individuals, if they had '^ received the 
Holy Ghost since they believed ?" This 
question we should ask ourselves. 
Power is needed to-d ay. Those who 
profess to be Christi ans need to be " en- 
dued with power from on high." We 
want more power in our prayer-meetings, 
more power in our preaching, more power 
in our periodicals. Give us the heav- 
enly fire, A prominent sign of the last 
days was to be seen in a church " having 
a form of godliness, but denying the 



80 Mays of Light. 

power ; " and this is apparent every- 
where. The church is weak in uiorai 
and spiritual strength, hence there are 
no more conversions, O for power di- 
vine to live above sin, to overcome the 
world, the flesh and the devil, and to ob- 
tain eternal victory through Him who is 
the '' wisdom and power of God." 



Go in for It 81 



GO IN FOR IT. 

1 Cor. XII. 31. 

" A more excellent way." 

God is willing Ms children should 
have the best there is. He has made 
provision for their present and eternal 
happiness. We need not live on husks, 
when there is plenty of corn. We need 
not drink stagnant filthy water, when 
there is a living spring. We need not 
wear rags when there is a robe clean and 
white. We need not go mourning all 
the day when there is a new song we 
can sing. We need not walk in the 
shade when there is an abundance of 
sunshine. We need not reside in Grum- 
bling street, when there are plenty of 
empty tenements on Thanksgiving street 
All we have got to do is to move out, 
choose a better locality. Get where the 
water runs, the flowers bloom, the sun 



82 Rays of Light. 

shines, the air is sweet and heav^enly, the 
garments clean, the music joyous, the 
surroundings cheerful. 

Put yourself where the light and love 
of heaven will beam all around you. 
Wear a smiling countenance. Be cheer- 
ful. Rejoice evermore. Why need you 
walk through the swamp where the owIb 
hoot, and the briers scratch, when there 
is a high- way of holiness, where all is 
clear, the way straight, and the lark 
soaring heavenward fills the air with 
sweetest music? Why feed on the 
parched burning hill- side, when there 
are fertile meadows with fruits and 
flowers. 

" Down in that beautiful valley, 

Where grace crowns the meek and the lowly." 

Why fret, and grumble, and repine, 
and wish and want, and groan, and 
never have, when there is peace, and joy 
and hope, and quiet, and rest, and salva- 
tion full and free for all who will accept 
it ? You have lived at a ^' poor dying 
rate" already too long ; why not give all 



Go in for It 83 

to Christ and live hereafter at a " living 
rate," and shout, and sing, and rejoice 
all the way to the kingdom of God, and 
let the world see that the religion of 
Jesus is the best thing there is under 
heaven. There are a great many people 
trying to live religion when they have 
not got it. They know nothing about 
the light, and power, and salvation of 
God. They are not rooted and grounded 
in the truth. They are not established 
in the faith. They are not led by the 
spirit. They do not like plain, straight, 
old-fashioned gospel preaching. They 
are mere hearers of the word, and not 
doers. They have got a religion of their 
own manufacture, and what they have 
got is more of a torment to them than a 
blessing. They have left the ^^ fountain 
of living waters^ and hewn out to them- 
selves cisterns, broken cisterns that will 
hold no water." Is it any wonder that 
there are no more sinners converted ? 
The gateway of Zion is blocked up with 
spiritual icebergs. It is hard work to 



84 Hays of Liglit. 

pull sinners over dead professors. Now, 
there is a better w^y to live than this. 
It is God's vray — -a blessed, holy, happy, 
heavenly way — a way in which you 
may "rejoice with joy unspeakable, and 
full of glory," and have within you the 
spirit as a well of water, springing up 
into everlasting life. Many have found 
this better way. Doubts and fears, and 
restlessness have given place to calm 
trust and sweet abiding peace in Jesus. 
These can recommend religion to others 
now, because they know its sweetness, 
its life, and power in their own salva- 
tion. They walk by faith and not by 
sight. The Lord is their sun and shield, 
he gives them grace and glory, and no 
good thing does he withhold from them, 
because they walk uprightly. 

There is no trouble about sinners 
being converted, when the church is 
filled with the Holy Spirit. Love is the 
melting, moving power. If we have 
nothing better than the world, then in 
vain do we invite others to come with 



Go in for Jt, 85 



us. It is useless to denounce the pleas- 
ures of sin, unless we can present some- 
thing far superior. This we can do if 
we have tasted the sweets of redeeming 
grace. Jesus is what men need. Pre- 
sent him in all his attractive loveliness. 
Keep self out of sight, and Jesus always 
in view. Sing of his mighty love. Tell 
others the wonders of his grace. Let his 
spirit fill your heart and his name be 
your password at the gate of every 
Christian temple. He is the way — the 
only true, the blessed, the excellent, the 
ever living way. Walk in him. 



8 



86 Hays of Light 



EXPERIENCE. 

1 John III. 14. 

*' We know that we have passed from death unto 
life." 

Tell your experience. The apostles 
told theirs. It may have wonderful 
effect. One fact which a person knows 
from experience is worth more than a 
thousand arguments from mere book- 
knowledge. Some professed Christians 
have had no experience, consequently 
they cannot relate any. I have heard 
of a stranger who was travelling through 
the West, at one time, and it happened 
on a certain occasion that he was enter- 
tained at the house of a farmer. In the 
course of the evening their conversation 
turned to the subject of Christian ex- 
perience. The stranger expressed a wish 
to hear the experience of his host. ^'Wife" 
said the farmer, " go up stairs and get a 
paper which you will find on one of the 



Experience. 87 



beams that run across the chamber." 
'^ My dear husband, said the wife, " the 
mice ate that paper a long time ago ? '' 
^^ What ? " said he, ^' that was my ex- 
perience.'' I apprehend that the ex- 
perience of a great many is something 
like this man's — when they look for it 
it is not there; the mice or something 
else has eaten it, or carried it away. 
Now, I think that an experience in 
books or papers, or an old musty manu- 
script is not quite sufficient. I think 
there is something better than this for 
every true believer. I have heard indi- 
viduals relate a long dry account of 
when and where, and by whom they 
were converted, and they seemed in some 
measure to trust in that old, dead ex- 
perience foi; salvation, not realizing that 
it was their privilege to have a richer, 
sweeter, clearer, and more heavenly 
experience every day. It is well to 
remember the past, and not to forget the 
" way in which the Lord our God has 
led us,'' but to trust in the past for pre- 



88 Hays of Light. 

sent salvation will not suffice. Our path- 
way now ought to shine brighter than it 
did when we first begun. The Christian 
life is not from light to darkness, but 
from darkness to light, not a going back- 
ward but forward, on, on, on to complete 
and everlasting victory. It is to know 
more of God, of Christ, of heaven every 
day. Not laying again the foundation of 
repentance from dead works, but going 
on unto perfection, growing in grace and 
in the knowledge of the holy scriptures. 
When an individual knows for him- 
self his own acceptance into the divine 
favor— when he knows that his Re- 
deemer lives — and that he has passed 
from death unto life — when he knows 
that the love of God has been shed 
abroad in his heart by ^he Holy 
Spirit, that he is in the Vine and the life 
of the vine in him, that his prayers are 
heard and answered — in a word wlien 
he knows that he is wholly the lord's 
justified, adopted, sanctified and filled 
with the spirit, then he can pour forth a 



Experience. 89 



testimony that will cut like a two-edged 
sword; then he can tell an experience 
that will be worth hearing, and that 
will fall with convincing power on 
the ears of unbelievers. O, for living, 
flaming, burning, melting, searching tes- 
timonies ! What the world needs is a 
living church, baptized with holy fire 
from on high. Away with dead forms 
and lifeless ceremonies ! Give us some- 
thing that has salvation in it. Salva- 
tion is what men need — present salva- 
tion, living, sparkling, gushing, over- 
flowing, ever-abiding. Away with dry 
sermons, long hymns and dead prayers. 
Give us pith, point, pathos, enthusiasm 
right down old-fashioned earnestness. 
Give us clear, explicit, thorough, unmis- 
takeable ever growing, never yielding 
experiences. We cannot live on old, 
mouldy, mice eaten, white bread. Give 
us the warm manna, right from heaven. 
O for a baptism of power ! O for a wave 
of salvation to sweep over the church, 
and wash away everything that is 

8* 



90 B^ays of Light 

nnlioly in Zion, O for a boly, honest 
ministry, and a holy liberal laity. Gov- 
etousness is a great sin. May the 
eternal spirit search your heart just now. 
Is it possible that men and women can 
sleep on the verge of a volcano? Up, 
up, my brother. Up, up, my sister. 
Where art thou? Are you all right? 
What art thou doing ? Are you saved 
now ? Others need salvation ? Tell 
your experience. 



The Cleft Rock. 91 



THE CLEFT ROCK. 

ExoDirs XXXIII. 22. 

"I will put thee in a cleft of the Bock." 

'' How could I bear this pilgrimage, my Lord, 
So rough, so set with trial, and with care, 

Did not thy love a constant aid afford 
And prove a shelter for me every where: 

A shelter that holds peace and rest within — 

Even the Rook^ once cleft to take me in. 

When friends^ are few and enemies are great, 
And my tired soul is forced to stand at bay, 
When all the evils that had lain in wait, 

Are sudden loosed, and throng about my way, 
_^ O, then, hard pressed, I brea^st the powers of sin, 
■ And turn to thee, my Rock, to take me in ! 

K When the world's glare is rude, and I am faint, 
B And one by one my hopes are withered up, 
And over all sweet joys there falls a taint, 
And bitterness is most within my cup — 

I My stricken cry above the heat and din, 
T"' 



92 Mays of Light. 

And when the night comes on with darken'd sky. 
And no light breaks to show my feet the way, 

I know my refuge must be very nigh, 
And night becomes as safe to me as day, 

Because the voice which sounds my heart within ^ 

Says, " Lo, thy Rock is here now enter in I '' 

O blessed hiding place, O safe retreat ! 

My Lord, my life, how can I ever fear, 
Through all the terrors of this life I meet, 

Since thy eternal presence is so near ! 
Give me thy grace, that I the race may win. 
And through my Rock with triumph enter in." 



The MarJced Sheep. 93 



THE MAEKED SHEEP. 

JOIB.^ X. 14. 

'*I know my sheep." 

In my boyhood days I .lived at home, 
on a farm. Father kept a flock of sheep, 
I remember how my brothers and my- 
self used to tend them ; what jo}^ it gave 
us to see the lambs skip and play ; how 
we used to call them, and sometimes 
look after them when they had strayed 
away into the woods. Once in a 
while they would wander into our 
neighbors fields, and mingle with their 
flocks, and then we would have to 
separate them. This we could do with- 
out much difficulty, because each one of 
our sheep had a certain mark by which 
we could readily distinguish them, how- 
ever they might be intermingled with 
other flocks. The mark was usually 
red^ and was dyed in the wool, so that it 



94 Rays of Light. 

could not easily be rubbed out, and 
could be seen at a distance. The pro- 
cess of marking them was this. About 
shearing time the sheep were gathered 
into a pen or yard by the riverside, taken 
one by one into the water and thoroughly 
washed. After the wool on them got 
dry they were sheaied — had their fleece 
cut off close to their skin. Then they 
were marked, and as the wool grew out 
again, the mark grew out with it, and 
could be seen wherever they went. 
Whoever saw them could tell whose 
sheep they were, by the initial of their 
owner's name marked in red letters on 
them. Now, Jesus does with his sheep 
what the farmer does with his. This is 
the process through which every one 
goes who enters the fold of the Good 
Shepherd. They are called, washed 
sheared^ and w^arhed. First, they are 
called. ''' My sheep hear my voice, and 
they follow me." He came not to call 
the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 
Far away in the wilderness of sin and 



The Marhed Sheep. 95 

unbelief he finds the lost ones and in- 
vites them to his fold. In his Grospel, 
by his spirit, through the voice of his 
ministers, he calls and says, ^^ come unto 
me all ye that are weary and heavy laden 
and I will give you rest." "Whosoever 
will, let him come unto me, and him that 
Cometh, I will in no wise cast out." All 
have an invitation to come. " The spirit 
and the bride, say come. And let him 
that heareth say come. And let him 
that is athirst come. And whosoever 
will let him take the water of life freely.'' 
All do not accpt this invitation. Many 
slight it. Those who do accept it are 
ivashed. It is the saviour who invites — - 
It is the Saviour who washes. He cleanses 
those who come to him from all unright- 
eousness. He changes their hearts and 
renews them in spirit, and makes them 
new creatures. Paul has expressed what 
I mean in these words, " Not by works 
of righteousness, which we have done, 
but according to his mercy he saved 
us, by the washing of regeneration, 



96 Rays of Light 

and renewing'of the Holy Ghost." (Titus, 
iii. 5.) It is this inward washing that I 
refer to, the cleansing of the hearty the 
renewing of the mind. I think too, that 
the primitive saints went down into the 
water, and were washed all over in bap- 
tism as an oiitivard token of the inward 
change^ and as expressing their hope in 
a future life, through a resurrection from 
the dead. Much might be said on this 
subject, but a hint is all that is necessary 
Christ shears his sheep. By this I mean 
that he claims all they have. He 
shears off all pride, worldliness, selfish- 
ness, unholy ambition, love of sinful 
pleasure, and whatever pertains to the 
carnal mind. His word is the shears, 
and his faithful ministers are the shearers. 
We are no longer our own, we are bought 
with a price, therefore we must glorify 
God in our spirit, and bodies which 
are his. He claims everything, time, 
talent - money, houses, lands, friends 
influence, education, all we have. It is 
painful sometimes to submit to this 



The Marhed Sheep. 97 

shearing process, but it is necessary in 
order to get the mar\ or to secure the 
witness of the spirit, and have engraven 
on us the name of the Shepherd. We 
must give the Lord all our bad things, 
all our good things — submit to all the 
trimming of the sharp gospel shears, 
until we can say with an honest believing 
heart ; 

^' Here, I give my all to thee, 
Friends, and time, and earthly store, 
Soul and body thine to be, 
Wholl}^ thine for evermore." 

How lovingly then does the good 
Shepherd put his mark upon us. Faith 
in his precious blood; secures the gift of 
the spirit. This is the mark by which 
all of his followers are distinguished 
'' If any man have not the Spirit of 
Christ he is none of his." Wherever 
we go and find men and women, trusting 
in a crucified, and risen Saviour for salva- 
tion and bringing forth the " fruit of the 
Spirit," these we may recognize as mem- 
bers of the household of faith, and heirs 



98 Rays of Light 

according to the promise. The sheep o 
the heavenly fold have one spirit. Down 
then with sectarian walls, and let the 
sheep of Christ worship together. Reader^ 
have you listened to the call f Are you 
following the good Shepherd ? Have 
you been washed ? Are all your sins 
forgiven ? Is your heart clean ? Have 
you been baptized? Have you been 
sheared? Have you consecrated all to 
the Saviour? Are you keeping back 
nothing? Are you wholly the Lord's? 
Do those that see you know that you 
are a Christian? Have you the marM 
Are you walking in the spirit ? Is the 
mark visible ? Do you know the ^hep- 
herd ? ^' I know my sheep and am known 
of mine." 



A Christian. 99 



A CHRISTIAN. 

Acts, ii. 26. 
The Disciples were called Christians. 

Are yon a Christian ? Then you are 
a follower of Christ. He is the founder 
of Christianity. His cause, though weak 
in the beginning, has reached an aston- 
ishing magnitude. Other systems have 
come to nought. Their founders were 
but sinful men ; they passed away, and 
their doctrines have not reformed the 
lives of their followers. But Jesus lives. 
His cause has been a success. His teach- 
ings have reformed the lives of his fol- 
lowers. He has a holy people. Though 
he died and was buried, yet he lives as 
the great Head of his Church. Death 
hath no more dominion over him. He 
ever liveth and carries forward with 
mighty power, the cause he established 
when on earth. All who follow him 



100 Rays of lAgJit 

are said to be ^4n him." It is a peculiar 
expression, yet it has deep significance. 
It implies a thorough change of heart, 
and a living vital union with him as the 
Source of Life. Many bear the name 
of christian, and are united with the 
church, but they are not united to 
Christ. There is a vast difference be- 
tween being in a church, or conference, 
and being in Glirist. If we belonged 
to a dozen churches, and were not really 
in Christ, it would avail us nothing. 
Our union with him will be evinced by 
the effect which it produces in our lives. 
If there is no change for the better, then 
we are deceived. We had better exam- 
ine ourselves and see if our faith is one 
that works by love and purifies the 
Jieart. This is the test. ^' He that saith 
he abideth in him, ought himself also 
so to walk, even as he walked." Are 
you in Christ ? or are you a christian in 
name only, and not in fact ? 

Are you a Christian ? Then you are 
not your own. You belong to Christ. 



A Christian. 101 



What a person buys and pays for be- 
* longs to him ; it is his property. If 
you are a christian, Christ has bought 
you and paid for you. He has placed 
his seal upon you as his property. The 
devil ha ] no claim on you, and you have 
no claim on yourself Henceforth you 
are not to serve satan or yourself You 
are to serve him v^hose property you 
are. It was no mean price that He paid 
for your redemption. It was not silver, 
nor gold, nor precious stones. No, these 
were inadequate to meet the demands 
of a broken law. Had the whole earth 
been a solid lump of gold, it would have 
been insufficient for a ransom price. 
Something more valuable than this was 
required. What was it ? Who can tell ? 
Let Inspiration answer. ^^Ye were not 
redeemed with corruptible things as sil 
ver and gold, from your vain conversa- 
tion, but with the precious blood of 
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish 
and without spot." This was the price. 
It was blood, precious blood. The 

9* 



102 Rays of Light. 

blood of Jesus. O how can you serve 
self and the world, when it cost the * 
Saviour his own precious blood to re- 
deem you ? How strange that christians 
will adorn themselves in fashionable 
gewgaws, and yield their bodies as in- 
struments of unrighteousness unto sin, 
when, if they did but consider it, they 
are not their own. Christ has a claim 
on every part of you ; your body as 
well as your spirit. '' What, know ye 
not that ye are not your own, for ye 
are bought with a price. Therefore 
glorify God in your body and in your 
spirit, which are God's." 

Are you a Christian ? Then you have 
the spirit of Christ. " If any man have 
not the spirit of Christ he is none of 
his." Do not mistake. It is of the ut- 
most importance that you have the 
Spirit, yea, it is absolutely necessary to 
membership in the " body of Christ." 
The church is his body I do not mean 
that any particular local church is his 
body, for there are many in all the local 



A Christian. 103 

churclies who have not the Spirit ; but I 
mean that the body of Christ is made 
up of all true believers the world over. 
All who have the Spirit belong to Christ. 
All true christians are members of the 
true church, of which Christ is Head. 
Do not mistake. Be sure you have the 
Spirit. Many will be deceived. Do 
not take animal emotions for the opera- 
tions of the Spirit. Do not take a good 
natural disposition for the effects of the 
Spirit. Do not be satisfied with any- 
thing short of the real fruit of the 
Spirit. You may know by the effect it 
produces. If you have the Spirit, you 
are honest and true at all times. There 
is no hypocrisy in the Spirit. It is ^^ in 
all righteousness, goodness and truth." 
Those who have it are filled with love, 
joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, 
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. 
Wherever you see this fruit, you may 
know that it does not grow in nature's 
garden. It is the work of grace. More 
of this grace is needed. All profession 



104 Mays of IdgJit 

without this does not amount to any- 
thing. All work without the Spirit is 
mere chaff to be blown away by the 
winds of the last day. Let us make sure 
work for eternity The Church needs a 
baptism of holy power. Sectarian walls 
would then tumble to the ground. 
Ministers would love each other. The 
followers of Christ would have no name 
but Christian, and no creed but the 
Bible. Converts would be multiplied 
on every hand. The bride would get 
ready to meet her coming Lord. 

Are you a Christian ? Then you are 
a joint-heir with Christ to an incorrupt- 
ible inheritance. O wonder of wonders ! 
Can it be? A poor, sinful mortal made 
a joint heir with the son of God. Yes, 
^^The spirit itself beareth witness with 
our spirit, that we are the children of 
God. And if children then heirs; heirs 
of God and joint-heirs with Christ ; if so 
be that we suffer with him, that we may 
also be glorified together." How rich, 
how exalted, how secure is the Chris- 



A Christian. 105 

tian ! What a hope he has ! This world 
was made for man, but through trans- 
gression he lost it. God drove him out 
of paradise and guarded the tree of life. 
Since then, sin, sorrow and death have 
rolled their dark waves over the human 
family. But Jesus came to seek and to 
save that which was lost. Over eighteen 
hundred years ago he conquered the 
devil, and wrenched the keys of power 
from the hand of death. He showed 
himself to his disciples, and rode trium- 
phantly to heaven amid clouds of glory 
and shouts of angels. But he is coming 
again clothed with celestial brightness, 
and wielding the sword of Almighty 
power. At the sound of his voice ten 
thousand times ten thousand graves will 
be opened, and the teeming multitudes 
of the redeemed come with angel escorts 
to the city of the great King. All tears 
will be wiped away, and the last sad 
trace of sorrow swept from creation's 
brow. Old earth, so long a scene of 
mourning and woe, will be disrobed of 



106 JRays of Light 

the curse, and adorned with eternal 
beauty. The doors of paradise will be 
flung wide open, and the bride of the 
lamb welcomed to her everlasting home. 
The bride and the bridegroom forever 
united, and sharers together in the fade- 
less joys, and ever increasing glories of 
heaven. No more poverty nor want ; 
no more sorrow nor separation ; no more 
death knells nor heart rending farewells ; 
no more loneliness nor longing for the 
presence of our Beloved ; but for ever at 
home. He who sits on the throne shall 
feed them, and lead them to fountains of 
living water. God grant that reader 
and writer may share the untold delights 
of that beautiful world. 



TJie Idle Christian. 107 



THE IDLE CHRISTIAN. 
Matt. xx. 6. 
'' Why stand ye here all the day idle." 

Can there be such a character ! "What ! 
A Christian idle? Is it possible? 
Many a person no doubt, thinks him- 
self a pretty good Christian, because, he 
cannot, as he supposes, be charged with 
doing anything inconsistent with his 
profession. He is guilty of no immo. 
rality, and is attentive to the means of 
grace. These are good things, and all 
that can be said against them is, that 
they do not go far enough. There is a 
positive side to religion. The command 
is, to work in the Lord's vineyard ; and 
this man does not work. In order to 
enable him to judge himself truly, let 
us see what is implied in not working as 
a Christian, 

1st. To he idle is to he — not Wke Qhvist. 
He worked. He was active and indus- 



108 Rays of Light. 



trious. At the age of twelve years when 
found in the temple, his reply to his pa- 
rents was, " wist ye not that I must be 
about ray father's business ?" From this 
time till he was about thirty years of 
age as nearly as we can gather from 
history, he worked as a carpenter. He, 
the son of the highest, did not think it 
beneath his dignity, to perform manual 
labor. "When he had commenced his 
public ministry he said to those who 
gathered around him " I must work the 
works of Him who sent me, while it is 
yet day, the night cometh when no 
man can work" He let no moments 
pass by him unimproved. Read his 
history as portrayed in the Gospels, and 
see how he toiled from morning till night 
in public and in private, traveling, preach- 
ing and performing miracles, until at last, 
amidst the agonies of Calvary he 
exclaimed " It is finished." 1 

2d. To he idle is to neglect to glorify 
Ood. Suppose you were to take a poor 
ragged boy from the street and adopt him 



The Idle Christian 109 

into your family. After clothing, edu- 
cating, protecting and befriending him 
yon would expect a corresponding be- 
havior on his part would you not ? Cer- 
tainly, you would expect him to be 
cheerful, loving and ever ready to obey 
you. Wherever he went he would 
glorify you as his benefactor. He would 
exhibit your kindness. Suppose you 
should plant a tree in your orchard, and 
after taking great pains to water, prune 
and cultivate it, you would expect it to 
bear fruit would you not? Certainly, 
you would expect fruit in proportion to 
your labor and pains and the goodness 
of the soil in which it was planted. 
Think then of your position as a pro- 
fessed Christian. If you are an adopted 
child, be cheerful and obedient. If 
you are a tree of righteousness remember 
'' in this is my father glorified that ye 
bear much fruit." 

2>d. To he idle is to he false to the 
Church. She needs help. She is entitled 
to the service of all sons. There is work 

10 



110 Bays of Light 



enougti for all, all have a place and a 
talent for something. No person should 
enter the church with an idea of having 
an easy time, and yet how many are car- 
ried along by the efforts and influence 
of others, and do nothing themselves : 

" Must I be carried to the skies, 
On flowery beds of ease, 
Whilst others fought to win the prize, 
And saUed through bloody seas?'' 

No, no, there is only one way. 

" Sure I must fight if I would reign, 
Increase my courage Lord, 
I'll bear the toil, endure t|ie pain. 
Supported by thy word.*' 

Every Christian young or old should 
be ready to respond like little Samuel, 
or like the prophet when called for, 
"Here am I, send me." The Church 
needs workers — not shirkers. 

Uh. To he idle is to he cruel to dy- 
eng souls. Suppose you should see a 
man in the water drowning, and made 
no effort to help him out, or suppose you 
should see a man wounded by the road- 



The Idle CJiristian. Ill 

^ide and made no attempt to assist him 
would it not be awfully cruel in you to 
say the least ? Could you do so ? 
Would you not try, even at the risk of 
your own life to save a fellow-man ? Yes, 
I believe you would, But here are men 
and women in more imminent peril, 
perishing for lack of knowledge — a 
knowledge of the way of salvation, 
perishing in a land of bibles, of churches, 
of ministers, of missionaries, of free 
schools, and Christian institutions — per- 
ishing in hovels, in cellars, in garrets, in 
gilded saloons, in dens of infamy 
— perishing in sound of church bells, in 
sight of home, of heaven, and eternal, 
glory — and perishing, because no one 
goes to take them by the hand, and try 
to win them to Christ. O, how can it 
be ? Why are not Christians more in 
earnest ? Let him know that he which 
converteth a sinner from the error of his 
way shall save a soul from death, and 
shall hide a multitude of sins." 

bth. To heidle sJioios a lack of love. You 



112 Hays of LigJit 

say you love Christ, — how do you show 
it? Is it love that consists in word only ? 
Do you love your family ? Can you sit 
down in idleness and see them suffer ? 
No ; true love will stir every nerve in 
you and cause you to labor with great 
delight, that you may make home 
pleasant and comfortable. On tlie same 
principle will you toil for Him who gave 
his life for you. With Paul, you will 
say, '^ The love of Christ constraineth 
us. He that hath my commandments 
and keepetli them, he it is that loveth 
me." 

%th. To he spiritually idle is to he 
spiritually poor. Who are the wealthy 
men in this world ? Not those who have 
wasted hour after hour in smoking, sit- 
ting around the stove, lying in bed or 
loafing around shoemakers' shops or 
hotels. They are those who have been 
diligent in business, up, and at work, 
faithfully attending to all the duties 
of the farm, or store^ or mill. As it is 
in temporal so in spiritual things. The 



The Idle Christian. 113 

person who is rich in faith, in know- 
ledge and in spiritual graces is the one 
who has been punctual at the prayer 
meetings, diligent in the improvement, 
of time, faithful in the performance of 
every Christian duty. It is no wonder 
that there are so many poor and barren 
professors — they do nothing. It is the 
"hand of the diligent that maketh rich." 
7th. To he idle hinders a blessing. — A 
great many people desire a blessing. 
They pray and wish and long for a 
blessing, and yet they do not get it. 
The Jews desired a blessing at one 
time, and the Lord sent his prophet to 
tell them how to get it. ^^ Bring ye all 
the tithes into the store house that there 
may be meat in mine house, and prove 
me now herewith, saith the Lord of 
Hosts, if I will not open you the win- 
dows of Heaven and pour you out a 
blessing, that there will not be room 
enough to receive it." Do you want a 
blessing? Try this way and see if 
it does not come. How can you expect 

10* 



114 Mays of Light. 

the Lord to bless you while you fold 
your arms and do nothing. Obedience 
always brings a blessing. The rich 
young man went away sorrowful because 
he was not willing to do what the 
Saviour bid him. 

StK lo he idle is to he weak. The boy 
who sells dry goods or studies hard and 
has no physical exercise, is weak. His 
flesh is soft, his muscles flabby, and he is 
not able to grapple with the difficulties of 
life, like a sunburnt sailor, or a rugged 
farmer, who, through constant toil, have 
developed their strength, and prepared 
themselves for usefulness. So those 
fasliionahle Christians, who live in the 
shade and feed on confectionary, fre- 
quent the apothecary, and the millinery, 
and who are so fastidious, that they can- 
not bear to hear an amen or a plain gos- 
pel sermon, and who shudder at the idea 
of visiting the poor — such individuals 
know but little of what it is to be 
" strong in the Lord." They are weak 



The Idle Christian. 115 

and helpless, so far as Christian strength 
and usefulness is concerned. 

^th. Idleness Hnders assurance, — It is 
no wonder that so many walk in 
darkness, and have no clear and 
satisfactory evidence that they are 
really accepted into the heavenly 
family. They are like sailors, who, 
neglecting to guide their vessel,let it drift 
away from the channel, until they get 
so bewildered in the darkness that they 
cannot see a single light house. If we 
would have the light of life shining on 
our pathway, then we must ^' walk in 
the light as he is in the light, and hav- 
ing fellowship one with another," we 
shall know by experience that the ^^blood 
of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all 
sin," Giving attention to the divine di- 
rections and seeking the aid of the Holy 
Spirit, we shall be able to say with con- 
fident hope, " We know that he abideth 
in us." "Make your calling and elec- 
tion sure." 

lOi^A. — Idleness has no promise. Eo 



116 Hays of Light 

where in the Bible is there a promise to 
the unfaithful. The victory is for those 
who overcome. The rest that remains 
is for those who labor. The crown is 
for those who run. What did the noble- 
man say when he came to reckon with 
those to whom he had entrusted the 
talents? To the first who had been 
faithful over the five, he said " well- 
done." To the second who had been 
faithful over the two, he said, ^Svell 
done." But to the slothful servant, who 
had neglected to improve his one talent 
there was no reward. Think of this, 
You are not excusable, because you can 
do but little. He that is faithful' in 
little, is- faithful also in much. The 
pearly gates will be forever closed 
against those who have nesjlected to 
make sure an entrance there. 

ll^A. Idleness brings a curse. — All 
around us, all through our land, in cities, 
towns and rural districts, we see the 
curse that follows idleness. ^' I went by 
the field of the slothful, and by the 



Tlie Idle Christian. ]17 

vineyard of the man devoid of under- 
standing. And lo, it was all grown 
over with thorns, and nettles had covered 
the face thereof, and the stone wall 
thereof was broken down. Then I saw, 
and considered it well ; I looked upon it 
and received instruction. Yet a little 
sleep, a little slumber, a little folding 
of the hands to sleep. So shall thy 
poverty come as one that travelleth ; 
and thy want as an armed man." Once 
the armies of Israel were fighting, and 
certain individuals refused to come and 
help. Here is what followed. "Curse 
ye Meroz ; curse bitterly ; because they 
came not up to the help of the Lord, to 
the help of the Lord against the mighty.'^ 
As certainly as effect follows cause, so 
certainly will the curse follow idleness. 
The curse is abroa d — the curse of crime, 
war, backsliding and immorality in every 
form. Nothing \^ill remove it but obe- 
dience to God. 

\2th. Idleness is liable to a diastroits 
end. — What was the end of Sodom and 



118 Rays of Light. 



Gomorrah, whose sins were " pride, full- 
ness of bread and abundance of idle- 
ness?'^ What was the end of Babylon, 
whose king made a feast to a thousand 
of his lords ? What was the end of Jeru- 
salem, whose inhabitants knew not the 
the time of their visitation ? What will 
be the end of those who neglect the 
great salvation now offered in the Gos- 
pel ? Morality alone is not sufficient. 
A form of Godliness will not avail. 
Nothing but a character founded on 
obedience to God will stand in the day 
of trial "Not every one that saith 
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom, 
but they that do the tvill of my Father." 
Are we hearers or doers ? It may be true 
that you are doing nothing inconsistent 
with your profession. Is not doing 
nothing almost as bad a thing as you 
can do? Any want of conformity to 
the law of God is sin, as much as a trans- 
gression of it. Be up then and doing, 
work while the day lasts. 



Go to Work 119 



GO TO WORK 

Matt. xxi. 28. 
*' Son, go work to-day in my vineyard." 

Why stand ye here all the day idle ? 
Is there nothing to do ? Are the sheaves 
all gathered in ? Are the fields all 
reaped ? Shall there be no more sinners 
saved ? Are thy friends all in the ark ? 
Has the Mas ter bid thee lay down thy 
sickle, and cease from toil ? Should you 
be called to give an account of your 
labors to-day, would you hear the " well 
done ?" Would it be said of you, as it 
was of one anciently, " She hath done 
what she could ? Have you done all that 
you could ? Are you idle because you 
know not what else to do ? Do you say 
that no one hath hired you ? Hark ! 
what meaneth this ? " Son, go work to- 
day in my vineyard." These are Christ's 
solemn words. They express the affec- 



120 Rays of Light 

tion of a father, and the authority of a 
sovereign. The fields are already white. 
The harvest is plenteous but the labor- 
ers are few. God loves perishing men. 
He has no pleasure in the death of the 
wicked. Go work. Tell dying men of 
the love of God. Invite them to Christ. 
Beseech them to be reconciled to God. 
The judgment is coming, and there is 
no time to be lost. Soon the work will 
be done. Sinners will be eternally 
saved^ or forever lost in a little v^hile. 
Oh, how can we be idle ? Why are we so 
stupid ? Up thou drowsy soldier, go to 
work. 

" Thy Master calls for reapers, 

And shall he call in vain ? 
Shall sheaves lie there ungathered, 

And waste upon the plain ?" 

Be wise, that you may " shine as the 
brightness of the firmament." Turn many 
to righteousness, that you may dwell 
with the white robed throng, and wear 
the starry crown of eternal triumph. 
The resting time has not come yet. 



Go to Work 121 

The labor precedes the rest. Now is 
the working time. Be faithful a little 
longer. The harder the work the 
sweeter the rest. Think of the love of 
Christ. Let that constrain you. Think 
of the great reward. Let that inspire 
you. Think of the solemn command. 
Let that move you. It is not the hear- 
ers, but the doers of the word that shall 
be saved. Jesus says, " Go work." He 
says, "Go work to-day!''^ His words im- 
ply a duty, for the neglect of which, no 
excuse will be deemed sufficient. 

There is no alternative between doing 
the master's work, or suftering his dis- 
pleasure. O how awful it will be to 
suffer the wrath of God, and be forever 
excluded fi^om the Holy City ; yet, all 
who do not work for Christ must hear 
it said, " Depart from me ye workers of 
iniquity." Do you wish to escape this 
doom? 

Are you anxious to do somethins; for 
Jesus ? Do you inquire wliat you are 
to do? Which is your field of labor? 
11 



122 Rays of Light 

When you are to enter it ? How long 
you are to toil ? Begin now^ and do the 
best you can oHght where you are. Let 
me answer these questions by relating a 
story I once read. 

"There was once a man named Qua- 
tremer Disjonval, who was thrown into 
a dungeon in the city of Utrecht. All 
alone, without a companion, without 
books, what could he do in a solitary 
prison? Apparently nothing. But un- 
willing to be idle, even there, he gave 
himself to the careful study of the hab- 
its of a spider, which had spun its web 
within his cell. He soon found himself 
able to predict changes in the weather 
by its movements ; a trifling discovery, 
but yet vastly useful to him in the issue ; 
for the next winter, a French army invad- 
ed Holland, and was in the full tide 
of victory, when a sudden thaw stopped 
its progress, and led its chiefs to resolve 
upon a retreat. But the prisoner, who 
had learned its movements from his 
jailor, and who, from the conduct of his 



Go to Work 123 

spider, judged that severe frost would 
soon return, contrived to inform the 
French of his opinion. They put faith 
in his judgment, and maintained their 
ground. The frost soon returned as he 
predicted, the victorious French com- 
pleted their conquest. Disjonval vras 
set at liberty." - 

Here we see a man doing all that it 
was possible for him to do under his 
circumstances. It Avas a little thing he 
did, but it had mighty sequences. It 
determined the issue of a war, and gave 
him his freedom. And what does Christ 
require of those who labor in his vine- 
yard, but to do always what may be 
possible, under their circumstances, to di- 
minish the amount of human sin, sorrow 
and suffering; and to increase human 
purity, comfort, and happiness ? It is 
in our power to do many little things, 
which would tend to make the world 
brighter and pleasanter. A word, a 
smile, a tear, a gift, a prayer, a song, a 
sermon, may be the thing required, ac- 



124 Ray% of Light 

cording to the ability or opportunity. 
Every moment is the time, every place 
the sphere of your labors ; every human 
being v^ho comes v^ithin the reach of 
your influence, is the subject for you to 
act upon. " Do good unto all men," is 
the divine injunction. The duty may 
sometimes seem trifling in itself, or 
weighty and serious; but if done in 
faith, and done aright, it will be fraught 
with mighty consequences. A virtuous 
act is never lost. Go work then in the 
spirit of this command and do "what- 
soever thy hand findeth to do," with 
promptness and delight. Seek thy work, 
and it will come to thee. Perform it 
well, and you shall hear the "well done," 
when the Master cometh, Work in 
faith. If you see the fruit, rejoice; if 
not, still continue to labor, and " be not 
weary in well doing ; for in due season 
you shall reap, if you faint not." The 
child who sows flower seeds in his gar- 
den at night is apt to weep in the morn- 
ing, if the flowers do not appear. Some- 



Go to Work 125 

times lie impatiently destroys the first 
labor by raking after the seeds, to see if 
they have not sprouted. And with a 
spirit similar to this do many labor for 
God, With zeal they sow the seed, but 
when the fruit delays its coming, with 
childlike impatience they fret and worry 
and pronounce their labor lost. This is 
wrong. It shows an undisciplined will, 
an unsanctified heart, and an impatience 
unworthy a disciple of Christ. Those 
who labor in the gospel field must learn 
to waitj as well as to labor. It is theirs 
to sow, to plant, and to water, it is God's 
to give the increase. The tardiness of 
the seed to throw oat its shoots, is not 
always a proof that its vitality is lost, 
A moral harvest is often reaped after 
the sower has found rest in the grave. 
Therefore, labor in faith, and wait in 
hope. Bread cast upon the water shall 
be found again after many days. The 
minister who, walking in the footsteps 
of Jesus, '' goes about doing good," may 
not see the immediate result of his toik; 
11* 



126 Rays of Liglit 

but he lias the consolation that they who 
sow in tears shall reap in joy. ''He 
that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing 
precious seed, shall doubtless come again 
with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with 
him." Those who work for God do not 
labor in vain. Their fruit will appear 
sooner or later, and their hearts shall be 
made glad. Some seed will surely fall 
upon good ground. 

'' A boy once shot an arrow into the 
air. So lofty was its flight, that he failed 
to detect the place of its descent. Long 
time he searched in vain around the 
meadow, and at last went home mourn- 
ing the loss of his arrow. Years passed 
away. The boy became a man. After 
many wanderings, he revisited the haants 
of his boyhood. Walking around the 
meadow, he gazed upon a venerable oak, 
whose wide spreading branches had fre- 
quently sheltered him in his boyhood, 
from the rays of the sultry sun. Full of 
old memories, he paused until his eye 
rested upon a feather which protruded 



Go to Work 127 

from a hollow in the tree. He drew it 
forth, and with it the identical arrow 
which years before he mourned as lost. 
And is it not thus sometimes with the 
efforts of God's children ? They speak in 
the ears of sinners, they bestow a tract, 
they ntter an exhortation; or, if in the 
ministry, preach a sermon. They strive 
to watch the flight of their shaft. Vain 
endeavor. They cannot track it as it 
enters the mysterious regions of the 
mind, and they too often foolishly deem 
it lost But it is not so. It lias done 
its work, and either in the future years 
of time, or in eternity, that effort, like 
the long lost arrow, shall come back to 
the bosom of its owner, bringing with it 
a blessing, even the reward of a duty 
faithfully performed. It is said of Dr. 
Coke that, while journeying in America, 
he once attempted to ford a river, but 
his horse lost his foothold and was car- 
ried down the stream. The doctor nar- 
rowly escaped drowning by clinging to 
a bough which overhung the river side. 



128 Rays of Light 

A lady in the vicinity gave him enter- 
tainment in his distress, sent messengers 
after his horse, and did him much kind- 
ness. When he left her roof he gave her 
a tract ! For five years the good doctor 
toiled on in the cause of God, in Eng- 
land and America. Whether his tract 
had been destroyed, or had pierced a 
human heart, he knew not — nay, had 
forgotten his gift. But one day, on his 
way to a conference, a young man ap- 
proached him and requested the favor of 
a brief conversation. 

" Do you remember, dear sir, being 

nearly drowned in river some five 

years ago ?" " I remember it quite well,'^ 
replied the doctor. '' Do you recollect 
the widow lady at whose house you 
were entertained after escaping from the 
river ?" '' I do, and never shall I forget 
the kindness she showed me." "And 
do you also remember giving her a tract, 
when you bade her farewell ?" " I do 
not, but it is very possible I did so." 
'' Yes^ sir, you did leave a tract That 



Go to Work 129 

lady read it and was converted. She 
loaned it to her neighbors, and many of 
them were converted too. Several of 
her children were also saved. A society 
was formed, which flourishes to this 
day." This statement moved the doctor 
to tears. But the young man after a 
brief pause resumed, saying : '' I have 
not quite told you all ; I am her son. That 
tract led me to Christ. And now, sii:, 
I am on my way to conference to seek 
admission as a travelling preacher.'^ 
Thus did the good doctor find his arrow 
in an unexpected hour. And thus will 
your shafts come back to you, O Chris- 
tian, in due season. Courage-, therefore, 
drooping friend ; weep not over any ap- 
parent want of success. Toil on. Thy 
work shall be rewarded. Only labor 
in faith, and God's blessing will rest 
upon your efforts. There is much to be 
done. The Macedonian cry arises from 
every quarter, " Come over and help us !" 
Sinners are perishing. Death is carry- 
ing away his victims every minute, and 



130 Mays of LigU. ' 

dragging them to his dark prison-house 
without any hope in Christ. O how 
awful ! Who can bear the thought of 
dying without a preparation to meet 
God ? It is a dreadful thought, and yet 
the multitudes think but little about it. 
They are seeking alter the vanities of 
the world, and neglecting the things of 
eternal interest. O let us do our duty. 
If God has saved us let us try to save 
others. Cry aloud and spare not ; 
arouse the careless dreamers; thunder 
in their ears the truth of God; weep 
over the perishing; show men that you 
love them ; be in earnest ; get rid of 
pride and formality; plead with God 
until your soul is deluged with his love ; 
then you can reach the hearts of others. 
It is the burning, glowing, intense love 
of Christ in our own hearts that make& 
us effectual laborers. Lazy, loafing, 
half-hearted professors are but cumber- 
ers of the ground. God never called 
men into his vineyard to sJiirh^ but to 
worh Get near to God, and then you 



Go to Work 131 

can get near to men. Pray for the 
unction from on liigli. God's spirit is the 
mighty agent. Let that fill your heart 
and you can be an idler no longer. You 
will feel for the perishing as you never 
felt before. O for men like Barnabas, 
"full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," 
and then we should see " much people 
added to the Lord." The time is short. 
What is done must be done quickly. 
Soon the last sinner will be sealed as 
an heir to the kingdom. The watch- 
men will be called to lay down their 
commissions at the Saviour's feet, and 
the gospel trumpet will be blown no 
more. Jesus will have ceased pleading, 
and sinners will be left without a Saviour, 
They may cry for mercy, but it will be 
too late. They are lost, eternally lost ! 
All who have been faithful in the vine- 
yard, will then receive their reward. O 
how will it be with us ? Shall we be 
free from the blood of souls ? Have we 
done all in our power to save our fellow- 
men ? Are we at work to-day in every 



132 Rays of Light 

way we can to save sinners ? O let us 
resolve anew to do more for Christ than 
we ever yet have done. He has done 
great things for us. We are not our own 
We are bought with a price. We are 
the Lord's. Our time, talents, and all 
we possess^ belong to him who hath 
bought us with his blood. O then let 
us labor cheerfully for him. The crown 
is before us. Only a little while, and it 
will be ours to wear forever. O the 
thought of being forever with Jesus. 
This is enough to stimulate us, amid all 
the toils and sorrows of life. Cheer up 
then, weary worker ; be patient in well- 
doing ; a little longer : and you will hear 
from the Master's lips " Well done." 



! 



Your Mission. 183 



YOUR MISSION. 

ECCL. 9: 10. 

"Whatsoever thy hand fiadeth to do, do it with thy 
might." 

" If you cannot on the ocean, 

Sail among the swiftest fleet. 
Rocking on the highest billows. 

Laughing at the storms you meet; 
You can stand among the sailors. 

Anchored yet within the bay. 
You can lend a hand to help them, 

As they launch their boats away. 

If you are too weak to journey 

Up the mountain steep and high ; 
You can stand within the valley 

While the multitudes go by; 
You can chant in happy measure, 

As they slowly pass along. 
Though they may forget the singer, 

They will not forget the song. 

If you have not gold aud silver. 

Even ready to comma)id; 
If you cannot towards the needy 

Reach an ever open hand ; 
12 



134 Rays of Light. 

You can visit the afflicted. 
O'er the erring you can weep, 

You can he a true disciple. 
Sitting at the Saviour's feet. 

If you cannot in the harvest 

Garner up the richest sheaves, 
Many a grain, both- ripe and golden, 

Will the careless reapers' leave ; 
Go and glean among the briers, 

Growing rank against the wall. 
For it may be that their shadow 

Hides the heaviest wheat of all. 

If you cannot in the conflict 

Prove yourself a soldier true, 
If, where fire and smoke are thickest, 

There's no work for you to do; 
When the battle field is silent, 

You can go with careful tread. 
You can bear away the wounded, 

You can cover up the dead. 

Do not then, stand idly waiting. 

For some greater work to do; 
Fortune is a lazy goddess"". 

She will never come to you. 
Go and toil in any vineyard, 

Do not fear to do or dare; 
If you want a field of labor. 

You can find it anywhere." 



Keep thy Hea/i^t. 135 



KEEP THY HEART. 

PROV. lY. 23. 
" Keep thy heart with all diligence." 

The Book of Proverbs is full of good 
common sense. If young people would 
study it, instead of wasting their time 
in reading novels, they wouldfind them- 
selves much wiser and happier in time 
to come. Scattered throuo:h this book 
are many wise thoughts and maxims, 
which sparkle like diamonds in the coro- 
net of a king. Would we be enriched 
with these treasures we must search dili- 
gently for them, and hold them with 
diligence when obtained. None are 
more precious than this : ^' Keep thy 
heart." By the heart he means the 
mind with all its powers — the will, the 
thoughts, the affections, the conscience. 
Keep thy heart as thou wouldst keep a 
temple. It is a sacred place. See that 



136 Mays of LigJit. 

no unholy intruders come in there. Drive 
out the buyers and sellers. Cleanse the 
house of the Lord. Guard well the 
gates of this temple. Let no unclean 
birds build their nests on this altar. 
^^ Know ye not that ye are the temple of 
God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth 
in you ? If any man defile the temple of 
God, him shall God destroy ; for the 
temple of God is holy, which temple ye 
are." I Cor., iii. 16. 17. 

Keep thy heart as thou would'st 
keep a treaswre. The man who has a 
treasure will secure it. He puts it in a 
safe place to prevent thieves from carry- 
ing it away. He gets an iron safe — fire 
proof — with strong lock and bolts. Your 
heart is a treasure. It is more valuable 
than all the hoarded wealth of the uni- 
verse. You had better lose every thing 
else than to lose a pure heart. But you 
may lose it. There are thieves all around 
who make it their business to steal this 
kind of treasure. Look out for them. 

Keep thy heart as thy wouldst keep 



Keejp thy Heart 137 

a garden. It needs cultivating. Keep 
out the weeds. From within proceed 
evil thoughts. Pride^ covetousness^ 
envy, hatred, fornication, wrath, strife, 
fretting, murmuring, evil surmising, 
evil speaking, jesting, joking — all these 
are evil weeds and must be plucked 
up by the roots. In the place of them 
plant love, joy, peace, gentleness, long- 
suffering, goodness, faith, meekness, tem- 
perance, — all these are beautiful flowers, 
and will adorn the garden and shed forth 
a rich fragrance. Fence this garden and 
let no beasts or animals destroy its fruits 
and flowers. Cultivate it by study and 
self-examination. 

Keep thy heart as a wise and experi- 
enced general would keep a besieged 
garrison. The rebels are continually on 
the look-out for the weakest point, where 
they may attack you. Do not get asleep. 
Watch and pray. Use' the weapon of 
Faith. Level at your enemies the cannon 
of Truth. Be ever conscious of your own 
innocence and integrity. Put on the 

12* 



138 Ray^ of Light | 

helmet of salvation, the breast-plate of 
righteousness^ and use the sword of the 
Spirit which is the Word of God. For- \ 
tify yourself, ^' Stand fast, quit you like i 
men, be strong." 

Keep thy heart as thou wouldst keep 
a prisoner. The heart is treacherous 
and deceitful above all things. It will 
spring from you ere you are aware of it, 
unless you watch. Many persons, un- 
der certain influences, have thought their 
hearts under pej-fect control, when a 
change of circumstances has developed 
the tact that they were mistaken. Bind 
this prisoner with the chains of love, 
and perfect submission to the will of 
God. 

Keep thy heart as thou wouldst keep 
a watch. A watch must be wound up 
and kept in running order. JSTo dust must 
be allowed inside to clog the machinery. 
If it stops or runs too low or too fast, it 
may need cleaning, oiling and regula- 
ting. Your heart is a watch. Be sure 
and wind it up every day by prayer, and 



Keep tliy Heart. 139 

set it by the dial of God's word. If it 
needs regulating, here you will find di- 
rections how to keep it in running order, 
at all times, in all places, and under all 
circumstances. David said, '' Thy word 
have I hid in my heart, that I might 
not sin against thee." " Thy word is a 
lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." 
Keep thy heart when alone, when in 
company; before duty, after duty; in 
church, out of church; in sorrow, in 
joy ; in prosperity, in adversity. Keep 
every avenue to the heart — the eye^ the 
ear. Bolt every door. Keep out the 
devil. Keep Christ iu your heart. Let 
him have it fully, completely, now and 
forever. 



140 Mays of Light. 



LOOKING TO JESTJS, 

Heb. xii: 2. 
'^ Looking unto Jesus." 

Those who run in the Christian race 
must have an object before them upon 
which to fix their attention. If we run 
at random we shall make crooked work 
and fail to obtain the prize. 

I have read of a company of school boy?, 
who one day, thought they would amuse 
themselves by playing in the snow. 
Gathering at the foot of a large oak tree, 
they concluded to walk across the field 
in diffierent directions, and see who could 
make the straightest path; but upon 
retracing their steps, it was found that 
only one of the boys had walked in a 
straight course. " Well," said the rest 
to Henry, " How did you do to walk so 
straight ?" Said Henry, " Do you see that 



Looking to Jesus. 141 

tall pine tree, yonder ? I fixed my eyes 
on that tree, and I did not take them off 
till I reached the other side." Here 
was the secret of Henry's success. He 
had an object before him, and he kept 
his eyes fixed upon it until he had ac- 
complished his journey. 

What says the apostle to those who 
are commanded to " make straight paths 
for their feet, lest that which is lame be 
turned out of the way ? " " Wherefore, 
seeing we also are compassed about with 
so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay 
aside every weight, and the sin which 
doth so easily beset us, and let us run 
with patience the race that is set before 
us, looking unto Jesus the author and 
finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that 
was set before him. endured the cross, 
despising the shame, and is set down at 
the right hand of the throne of G-od." 
Heb 12: 1, 2. Ah! this is it. Looking 
unto Jesus. Here is the secret of suc- 
cess in running the Christian race. Fix- 
ing our eye on him, and forgetting the 



142 Rays of LigJit. 

things around and behind us, we can 
"press toward the mark for the prize 
of the high-calling of God in Christ 
Jesus." 

The word more properly signifies, 
" looking off unto Jesus." Off from self, 
off from the world ; off from the vani- 
ties which surround us ; off from the mis- 
takes oi false professors: off from sects 
and parties ; off from everything but 
Jesus. As the disciples on the mount of 
transfiguration, when the cloud of glory 
had passed, looked up and saw no man, 
save Jesus only, so must we turn away 
our attention from all other leadere, and 
be wholly absorbed in the one name, 
which is above every other name, the 
name Jestis. Jesus and Jesus only is 
the one to whom we are to look for sal- 
vation. Fixing our eye on Him, how 
easy it is to run with patience the Chris- 
tian race. Gazing upon him, admiring 
him, loving him, following him we find 
besetting sins dropping off, and ourselves 
becoming more and more like him. Just 



% 



Looking to Jesns, 148 

as the snow and ice drop from the forest 
trees when the sun pours its scorching 
rays upon them ; so will every evil 
thought and feeling melt from our hearts, 
when we stand in the full blaze of 
Christ's love. 

There is a mighty transforming power 
in a steady look. Whatever w^e think 
of the most, and contemplate the longest 
that we become the most like The way 
then to be holy is to be constantly look- 
ing unto Jesus. Look to his cross, and 
find fresh motiv^es for a closer walk with 
God. 

^ '' See from his hands, his side, his feet, 
If Sorrow and love flow mingled down, 
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, 
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?" 

Look to his example, and imitate his 
patience and benevolence. Look unto 
him as he stands before the throne 
in heaven, lifting up with ceaseless love 
his intercession in your behalf. He is 
full of sympathy and compassion. " See- 
ing then that we have a great high 



144 Bays of Light. 



priest, that is passed into the heavens, 
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast 
our profession, for we have not an high 
priest, which cannot be touched with 
the feeling of our infirmities ; but was 
in all points tempted like as we are, 
yet without sin. Let us, therefore come 
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we 
may obtain mercy and find grace to help 
in time of need." Heb. 4 : 14, 16. 

In those ancient games the prize was 
erected upon an eminence at the end of 
the race course, so that those who run 
could see it, and be animated by it. Do 
we not see Jesus waving over the bat- 
tlements of heaven the crown of glory? 
Look yonder ! See how valuable it is. 
It is not a crown of flowers that will 
soon fade, but a ^^ crown of glory that 
fadeth not away." Looking unto Jesus, 
How this helps us. In all our conflicts 
and sorrows, when we are tried and 
tempted, when we bid farewell to friends, 
when we are sick and lonely, when we 
are sin burdened and need forgiveness ; 



:!?8 



LooTcing to Jesus 145 



when we are in darkness and need light ; 
when we are weak and need strength ; 
when we walk through the dark valley 
and shadow of death, at all times and in 
all places, we can look unto Jesus, He 
is ever ready to help those who look to 
him. He cheers us on. " Lo, I am with 
you alway." "In the world ye shall 
have tribulation, but be of good cheer. 
I have overcome the world." Look unto 
Jesus. Believe his Word. Confess 
your sins. Tell him all your troubles. 

" Can we find a friend so faithful, 
Who will all our sorrows share ? 
Jesus knows our everj^ weakness, 
Take it to the Lord in prayer." 

13 



146 Rays of Light. 



SEARCH THE CAMP, 

JOSHUA, YII. 13. 

" Up, sanctify the people." 

Holiness is required. In ancient times 
the Lord required his people to be holy 
when they appeared before him to wor- 
ship. " I am the Lord your God ; ye 
shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and 
ye shall be holy for I am holy," Lev., 
xi. 46. To sanctify means to set apart 
for a holy purpose, to have the motives 
of the heart and actions of the life pure. 
The Israelites were not allowed to inter- 
mingle with the unholy nations around 
them, but they were to be separate, a 
holy people with whom the Almighty 
should manifest his presence, hence he 
commanded them, " Sanctify yourselves, 
and be ye holy. Lev. xx. 7. 

When the Holy One was to speak to 



Search the Camp. 147 



the people from Mount Sinai, amid thun- 
ders and lightnings, and thick clouds 
of darkness, he said to Moses, " Go unto 
the people, and sanctify them to-day and 
to-morrow, and let them wash their 
clothes." They were to be clean, to have 
no impurity on their person, nor on their 
garments. And on every occasion after- 
ward, when the divine presence was to 
be manifested in the tabernacle or in the 
temple, they were required to put away 
all that was evil in their midst, that 
they might come up and worship the 
Lord in'tlie beauty of holiness. Nothing 
cmld be accomplished, no victories ob- 
tained, and the divine glory would not 
appear until they complied with the 
divine requirements. 

When Joshua was to lead the con- 
quering hosts across Jordan, to take pos- 
session of the goodly land, he said unto 
them, " sanctify yourselves ; for to-mor- 
row the Lord will do wonders among 
you." Joshua, iii. 5. 

Purity was essential to the divine 



148 Rays of Light, 



guidance, and to their triumphant en- 
trance into the promised Canaan. With 
holiness beating in their steps, and float- 
ing on their banners, they could over- 
throw the walls of Jericho with ram's 
horn trumpets, but with an Achan in 
the camp they were compelled to flee 
before their enemies, in their unsuccess- 
ful attempt to capture Ai. Do we not 
see a parallel to this in the church at 
the present time? When ministers try i 
to rally on Israel's hosts to overcome 
the world, and to discomfit the enemies 
of truth, they too often find their arm 
paralyzed, their strength gone, and their 
enemies too strong for them. Why is it ? 
There is an Achan in the camp. Some- 
body has coveted the wedge of gold 
and the Babylonish garment. There is 
sin in the church. God cannot work. 
Go through the camp, go through the 
camp. Search, search. Find out the 
Achan. There are lots of silver and 
gold hid in his tent. Dig it out, dig 
it out. Sanctify yourselves. Conse- 



Search the Caw^p. 149 

crate all to the Lord. Gret right, get - 
right. Confess. Strip off the old Baby- 
lonish garment. Dress plain. Examine 
yourselves. Search your hearts. Cleanse 
yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh 
and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear 
of God. You can conquer Ai and the 
devil if you have the Almighty to fight 
your battles. Look over Israel to-day. 
See what conformity to the world, to its 
maxims, its follies, its fashions. Go into 
Achan's tent and see the treasures 
hoarded up, while God's cause languishes 
for want of help. The spirit of covetous- 
ness is eating out the life and power of 
the church. Is it any wonder that there 
are no more revivals of religion, no more 
cities captured for God ? Is it any won- 
der that ministers pray and preach and 
labor until they faint, and their hearts 
melt as water, when Israel does not 
come up to the help of the Lord against 
the mighty. Holiness is required of the 
church to-day as much as it ever was. 
Hear Paul, the whole-souled reformer, 

13* 



150 Rays of Light. \ 

and apostle to the Gentiles. " I beseech 
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies 
of Godj that ye present your bodies a 
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto 
God, which is your reasonable service. 
And be not conformed to this world : 
but be ye transformed by the renewing 
of your mind, that ye may prove what 
is that good, and acceptable, and perfect 
will of God." Rom., xii. 1, 2. Is not 
this plain ? Who can fail to understand 
this language ? It is simple, and easy 
to be comprehended. Let us attend to 
this and present our bodies a living sac- 
rifice. 

Do it now. Throw away your tobacco 
and every other evil habit. Be holy 
in body and in mind. Hear him again. 
*^ Be ye not unequally yoked together 
with unbelievers ; for what fellowship 
hath righteousness with unrighteous- 
ness? and what communion hath light 
with darkness? and what agreement hath 
the temple of God with idols? for ye are 
the temple of the living God ; as God 



Search the Camp. 151 

hath said, I will dwell in them, and 
walk in them ; and I will be their Grod, 
and they shall be my people. Where- 
fore come out from among them, and be 
ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch 
not the unclean thing ; and I will receive 
you, and will be a Father unto you, and 
ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith 
the Lord Almighty. Having therefore 
these promises, dearly beloved, let us 
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of 
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness 
in the fear of God." II Cor. vL 14-18. 



152 Mays of Light. 



KEADY TO PARDON. 

ISTeh. 9. 17. ' 
" Thou art a God ready to pardon.'^ 

* Wonderful statement ! Glorious tid- 
ings. Ready to pardon ? Yes, ready to 
pardon. What, after I have sinned so 
many times, and trampled his laws un- 
der my feet ? Alter I have resolved and 
promised and fallen again and again ? 
After I have grieved his tender spirit, 
crucified his son afresh, and brought re- 
proach on his cause ? After I have been 
turned out of church, and my brethren 
have lost confidence in me? Is it pos 
sible ? Can it be so ? Will he pardon 
m^? Is he ready to pardon me noio'i 
Yes, he is waiting and watching for your 
return. He is able to save to the ^' utter- 
most " all who will come to him. Just 
as you are, you may come, and come now^ 

" An the fitness he requireth, 
Is to feel your need of him." 



Ready to Pardon. 153 

Are you ready? He is ready and 
waiting. Do you ask for evidence? 
See it in the provision he has made for 
the exercise of pardon. 

Behold the Lamb of God stretched 
on yonder cross ! What does it mean ? 
Is he dying to atone for his own sins ? 
No, I find no fault in this man," was the 
statement of the Roman Judge. He was 
holy, harmless and undefiled. No guile 
was ever found in his mouth. Why is 
it then that he endures such agony, and 
dies such a painful death ? Ah ! sin- 
ner, this is all for thee. ^^ God hath 
made him to be sin for us who knew no 
sin, that we might be made the right- 
eousness of God in him." He commend- 
eth his love toward us, in that while we 
were yet sinners Christ died for us." 
All we like sheep have gone astray, we 
have turned every one to his own way, 
but the Lord hath laid on him the ini- 
quity of us all." Can you doubt his 
willingness to pardon ? 

See it in the invitations of his ivord. 



154 Mays of Light 

Would you invite your friends to come 
and dine with you if you did not love 
them, or were not ready or willing to re- 
ceive them. Think not then,that God is tri- 
fling when he sends his invitations to you, 
Listen to him now, and see if he is not 
ready to pardon and to feast you upon his 
bounties " Come now and let us reason 
together, saith the Lord. Though your 
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white 
as snow ; though they be red like crimson 
they shall be as wool." Again, " Ho every 
one that thir steth, come ye to the waters ; 
and he that hath no money; come ye, 
buy and eat; yea. come, buy wine and 
milk without money and without price." 
What are these invitations for? Do 
they not unfold his readiness to par- 
don ? Is not this encouragement for all 
to come? Who need stay away with 
such invitations as these sounding in his 
ears ? 

See it in the examples of his pardoning 
mercy. Some of these have been 
the chief of sinners ; sinners of long 



Ready to Pardon^ 155 

standing ; sinners whose crimes have 
not only been numberless, but attended 
with every aggravation. You have read 
ofManasseh; of the dying thief ; of the 
murderers of Christ ; of the Corinthian 
converts : yet all these obtained mercy ! 
Vile, wretched, and miserable as these 
were, they found pardon. Have you 
read of Peter, who denied his master ? 
He was pardoned. Have you read of Ma- 
ry Magdalene out of whom were cast 
seven devils ? She became a meek fol. 
lower of Jesus. Have you read of Saul, 
who held the 2:arment of those who killed 
Stephen? He was the '^chief of sinners,'' 
yet he obtained pardon and was made 
the " chief apostle." Sinner^ there is 
hope for you. Jesus can save to the ut- 
termost. You may have gone down deep, 
deep into sin, but there is one able to save 
you. Only trust him. He is ready to 
pardon. '^ Yes, sinner, he is a God 
ready to pardon : hut marJc these thoughts. 
He is ready to pardon only those who 
repent Show me a single scripture 



156 Mays of Light 

where the bestowment of the one is un- 
connected with the exercise of the other; 
Manasseh found pardon ; but it was, 
when he humbled himself before God 
and repented. Paul found pardon; but 
it was when he stopped sinning and 
turned to the Lord. Peter found pardon ; 
but it was when he remembered his sin, 
and wept tears of contrition. Jesus came 
not to '^ call the righteous, but sinners to 
repentance.'^ " Repent ye, therefore and 
be converted, that your sins may be 
blotted out.'^ If we confess our sins, 
He is faithful and just to forgive us our 
sins, and to cleanse us from all unright- 
eousness.'' *^ He that covereth his sins 
shall not prosper, but he that confesseth 
and forsaketh them shall have mercy." 
Are you sorry for your sins ? Have you 
confessed them, and asked for pardon ? 
Will you forsake them for ever ? 

He is ready to pardon but only in this 
life. There is no pardon beyond the 
grave. Those who hope for pardon by 
delaying an application for it till the close 



Ready to Pardon, 157 

of life will make a great mistake. If we 
fail to obtain pardon in this world, we 
need not look for it in another. Some 
teach that there will be a chance for re- 
pentance in a future age, but such teach- 
ings are not warranted by scripture. 
Now is the accepted time. To day is 
the day of salvation. Now we can make 
sure of pardon ; to-morrow it may be too 
late. Now the door of mercy is open ; 
to-morrow it may be shut. *' When once 
the master of the house is risen up, and 
hath shut to the door, and ye begin to 
stand without, and to knock at the door 
saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us ; and 
he shall answer and say unto you, 1 
know you not, whence ye are: depart 
from me ye workers of iniquity." No 
pardon tlien. Now, he is ready to par- 
don. Eeader, are you pardoned ? Have 
you repented of your sins, and had them 
forgiven through faith in the blood of 
Christ? Are you conscious of this? 
Have you the evidence hat follows par- 
don ? Are you justified ? Have you 

14 



158 Hays of Light. 

peace with God ? Have you tlie Spirit? 
Are you walking by faith ? If so, go od. 
Live above sin. Watch and pray that 
you enter not into temptation. If you 
are not pardoned I beseech you to repent 
this very day. Turn to God with all 
your heart. Put it not off. You have 
no time to spare. The Lord is calling 
you to-day. He is ready to pardon. 
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be 
found ; call ye upon him while he is 
near. Let the wicked forsake his way^ 
and the unrighteous man his thoughts, 
and let him return unto the Lord, and 
he will have mercy upon him, and to our 
God, for he will abundantly pardon^ 



Down Brakes. 159 



DOWN BRAKES. 

Acts, yiii. 88. 
'' He commanded the chariot to stand still." 

There is danger ahead. When I was 
a school-boy I remember of reading a 
story about the burning of a raih^oad 
bridge, and how a train loaded with 
passengers was prevented from plunging 
into the awful chasm. A little boy by the 
name of Eli, discovered that the bridge 
was burned, just as an express train was 
nearly due. He saw the danger and 
knew that unless the train could be 
stopped there would be a fearful loss of 
life. Stepping on to the track he saw 
the train coming under full headway, 
and, with hat off and both hands uplift 
ed, he ran towards it right in the centre 
of the track, screaming at the top of his 
voice, '^ The bridge is burned ! the bridge 



160 Rays of Light. 

is burned !" The engineer saw him and 
blew the whistle for him to get out of 
the way, but at the risk of his own life 
he still ran toward the engine crying, 
" The bridge is burned ! the bridge is 
burned !" The whistle blew again for 
^^ down brakes,"' and the train was 
stopped just in time. The passengers 
came out, and after viewing the danger, 
loaded the little boy with presents, and 
showered kisses upon his cheek. By his 
forethought and courage, he had saved 
them from an awful death, and saved 
many homes from weeping and wailing. 
Sinner, there is danger ahead. There 
is an awful chasm into which you will 
shortly be plunged unless you stop. You 
do not see it. With the thoughtless, 
pleasure seeking multitude, you are 
crowding the halls of mirth, swearing, 
smok'ng, drinking ^ dancing, carousing, 
and little dreaming of danger, while the 
train of Time is speeding you on with 
fearful velocity toward the awful preci- 
pice. I see your danger. With pen and 



Doimi Bvcikes. 161 

voice, and uplifted hand, I would cry 
with all my might, stop, stop ; the bridge 
is burned., the bridge is burned. The road 
you are travelling is not safe. The train 
you are in will not take you into the Celes- 
tial Depot, You are on the direct road 
to perdition. Stop. Down brakes, down 
brakes. Abate your speed. Stop. Stand 
still. Look ahead. See where you are 
going. Let me explain what I mean. 
There is an awful judgment day just 
before you. The word of God declares 
it, and that can never fail. ^' Rejoice, O 
young man, in thy youth ; and let thy 
heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, 
and walk in the ways of thine heart, and 
in the sight of thine eyes ; but know 
thou, that for all these things God will 
bring thee into judgment." EccL, xi. 9. 
Do you wonder that I ask you to stop ? 
How can you sin in view of that awful 
day? It is certainly coming. Listen 
again. '^ God now commandeth all men 
every where to repent. Because he hath 
appointed a day in the which he will 

14* 



162 Hays of Light 

judge the world in righteousness, by 
that man whom he hath ordained, 
whereof he hath given assurance unto 
all men, in that he hath raised him from 
the dead." Acts, xvii 31. Do you won- 
der that I am in earnest when I ask you 
to repent ? Are you not surprised that 
I am not more in earnest ? I am in earn- 
est Would that I had a tongue of fire, 
and a voice of thunder that I might 
warn the world, and rescue thousands 
from eternal death. The Lord is in 
earnest. He is not willing that you 
should perish. He is long suffering, not 
wtlling that any should perish, but 
rather all would come to repentance. 
But you must submit to his terms. He 
offers pardon and eternal salvation to all 
who will repent and believe the gospel. 
He has sent out his ministers to give the 
alarm,— to call upon men every where 
to repent ; to warn the world of the 
judgment to come. They are watchmen 
on the walls of Zion, and are to give the 
signal when they see danger ahead. 



Down Brakes. 163 

Woe to them if they are unfaithful. 
Woe to you, if they give the warning 
and you heed it not. O sinner^ stop, stop, 
Gro no farther in sin. I warn you this 
day in the name of my Master to stop. 
O I beseech you to turn unto God this 
day. Repent of your sins. Cry to the 
Lord for pardon. Flee to Jesus whose 
blood can cleanse you from all unright- 
eousness. Pray as you never prayed 
before. Read the Bible — ask for the 
Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart. 
God will save you. O think of the glo- 
ries of heaven. There is a crown for 
you. Will you have it ? O delay not. 
Time is flying. The judgment is coming. 
We shall soon be there^ Stop. Pray. 



164 ' Rays of Light. 



RETURNING HOME. 

Acts xx. 21. 
"Eepentance toward God" 

Repentance not away from God, but 
toward God. Consciousness of guilt 
causes man to escape, if possible, the 
Di vin e presence. True repentance brings 
him back to acknowledge his guilt. 
When Adam had sinned, he tried to 
hide himself amid the trees of the gar- 
den, but the Lord saw him and called 
him forth to give an account of himself. 
It is the same with us to-day. When 
we have gone astray from the right 
path, and are conscious that we have 
transgressed the commandment of our 
heavenly Father, we feel a shrinking 
from his presence, a reluctance to meet 
him in prayer, a disposition to hide and 
get away where our guilt will not be 
exposed. This is a wrong way and a 



Returning Home. 165 

vain attemj)t. We cannot hide from 
God. We may escape the notice of our 
fellow men, and sometimes get beyond 
their reach, but we cannot escape the 
all-searching glance of Him whose eyes 
are in every place, nor elude the grasp 
of Him who holdeth the universe in his 
hand. The right way is to comC' directly 
to God and ash his forgiveness. 

There are many who repent but they 
repent in the wrong way. They are sorry, 
but still they wander further and further 
from home. True repentance tarns a per- 
son around^ and sets his face toward \i\^ 
Father. The history of the prodigal son 
illustrates true repentance. He went 
far away from home into a foreign land, 
and there spent his substance in riotous 
living, with proud and gay companions. 
As long as his money lasted he had 
plenty of associates, and a splendid time 
in sinful pleasures. After awhile there 
came a money-panic. Business was dull, 
fields did not yield their crops, and there 
was a famine in the land. He began to 



166 Mays of Light 

be in want. Times looked exceedingly 
dark. He tried to get employment but 
could not. By and by he went and 
joined himself to a citizen of that country, 
who sent him into his fields to feed 
swine. This must have been very hu- 
miliating, but it was this or nothing. 
Starvation stared him in the face. " He 
fain would have filled his belly with the 
husks which the swine did eat, and no 
man gave unto him." Friendless and 
alone, ragged and almost starved, he sat 
down and wept. O how glad he would 
have been to see his good old mother, or 
his gray-headed father ! He thought of 
home, but he had been such a wild, 
wicked boy, that he feared he would 
not be received. He knew not that his^ 
dear old father still loved him, and ,was 
watching for his return. At length he 
came to himself, and said : ^' How many 
hired servants of my father have bread 
enough and to spare, and I perish with 
hunger ! I will arise and go to my father, 
and will say unto him, Father, I have 



Returning Home. 167 

sinned against hea^^en, and before thee, 
and am no more worthy to be called 
thy son ; make me as one of thy hired 
servants. And he arose and came to 
his father," Slowly across the fields he 
comes, with bowed head, and a sorrow- 
ful heart. Ah, there is no pride about 
him now. He is very humble. He has 
learned a few excellent lessons in deep 
affliction, and is willing now to be even 
a servant, if his father will only accept 
him as such. But look yonder ! I see 
his father going to meet him. When 
the returning one was ^' yet a great way 
off, his father saw him, and had compas- 
sion, and ran and fell on his neck, and 
kissed him." They weep together. O 
what a meeting is this ! — A lost son 
meeting his loving father. The son be- 
gins to tell his story : " Father I have 
sinned" — the father stops him. ^' Bring 
forth the best robe and put it on him,and 
put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his 
feet. Bring hither the fatted calf, and 
kill it ; and let us eat, and be merry ; 



168 Rays of LigJit 

for this my son was dead, and is alive 
again ; he was lost, and is found. And 
they began to be merry." 

Backslider, you are the prodigal. God 
is your father. He loves you stilL You 
have wandered far away. !Stop now. 
Arise and go home. Your father is look- 
looking out for your return. He has eyes 
of mercy, feet of mercy, hands of mercy, 
lips of mercy. He will meet you on the 
way. Eepent — repent — repent. Confess 
your sins. Do not starve in a foreign land. 
Your friends still love you. They want 
you to come back. Jesus waits to wash 
all your sins away. O say this very mo- 
ment " I will arise and go to my Father." 
Return — return. Get out of this desert 
of sin, and go home. Heaven will be 
glad at your return. 

" Come weary wanderer, cease thy toilsome 

straying, 
No longer seek for peace where none is found ; 
Come, and thy Saviour's gentle voice obeying, 
Find here thy home where love and joy abound*" 



lite Desert Rock. 169 



THE DESERT ROCK. 

1 Cor. x: 4. 

'^ They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed 
them, and that Eock was Christ," 

'' Rock of the desert, pouring still, 
Thy stream the thirsty soul to fill ; 

Rock of the desert, now as full, 

Of living water, pure and cool, 
We stand beside thy stream. 

Rock of eternity, to thee, 

In thirst and weariness we flee ; 

Thy waters cannot cease to pour; 

Their fulness is for evermore; 
Let him that thirst eth come. 

Bright water of eternity. 

We come, we come to drink of thee. 

The voice of welcome that we hear, 

The voice dispelling every fear, 
Is " whosoever will." 

River of life, upon thy brink, 

We sit, and of thy waters drink; 
The murmur of thy sparkling wave, 
ISpeaks still of Him who came to save, 
Who bids us drink and live. 

15 



170 Rays of Light. 

Eiver of peace, so full and bright, 
Each drop, clear shining with the light; 
And still the voice that comes from thee, 
The voice that telleth all is free. 
Is — '' whosoever will." 

River of love, so deep and wide, 
All heaven is in thy flowing tide; 
For all the love of God is here, 
The love that casteth out all fear, 
The '' whosoever will." 

River of God, still flowing on, 
Thy source the everlasting throne. 
River of Heaven, translucent stream. 
Thy fullness ever at the brim. 
For — " whosoever will." 

River of health, thy current pours 
Its freshness on these leprous shores I 

Pure Jordan, bidding all draw nigh, 

For health and immortality. 
With — '' whosoever will." 

Dear river, what a sun is thine! 

What glories on thy waters shine! 

What freshness in each sparkling drop, 
And still the voice that cometh up 
Is — *' whosoever will." 



Secret Prayer. 171 



SECRET PRAYER. 

Matt. vi. 6, 
" Enter into thy closet." 

The Christian will have a place for 
secret prayer. By this he is distin- 
guished from the time of his conversion. 
He delights to be alone with God. As 
the fish cannot live out of its native ele- 
ment — water, so the christian cannot live 
out of his native element — prayer. 
Whatever his engagements, or situation^ 
or circustances, whether on land or sea, 
in the city, or in the country, the true 
christian will find some place where he 
can retire occasionally and commune 
alone with his Saviour. Rob him of 
this privilege, and you rob him of his 
joy and strength. Like Sampson shorn 
of his locks, his strength is gone. Jesus 
himself felt the need of secret prayer. 



172 Ray^ of Light 

Frequently lie retired from the crowd, 
got out of the bustle and confusion of 
the city, and went away to the fields 
and mountains to pray. Sometimes he 
continued all night in prayer. He does 
not require us to do what he did not do 
himself He has taught us to pray in 
secret, both by precept and example. 
All Bible characters, noted for piety and 
devotion, have had a time and a place 
for secret prayer. David said, ^' Morn- 
ing, evening, and at noon will I pray 
and cry aloud, and the Lord shall hear 
my voice. It is a good thing to give 
thanks unto the Lord, to show forth his 
loving kindness in the morning, and his 
faithfulness every night." Daniel went 
into his chamber and prayed three times 
a day, and he was not afraid of others 
hearing him, for he prayed with the 
windows open. Ezekiel went forth into 
the fields, and there God talked with 
him. Peter prayed on the housetop. 
Paul and Silas in prison. Lydia by the 
river side. None have wanted for time 



Secret Prayer. 173 

or a place when they have really thirsted 
for communion with God. 

'' Where'er we seek him he is found. 
And every place is holy ground." 

They who feel the need of Divine 
guidance and commit their ways unto 
the Lordj will find the promise ever 
true — " As thy day is so shall thy 
strength be." Retirement prepares the 
christian for all other duties. Said 
Judge Hale, in his letters to his chil- 
dren, ''If I omit praying, and reading 
a portion of God's blessed Word, in the 
morning, nothing goes well with me all 
the day." Dr. Boerhaave said that his 
'' daily practice of retiring for an hour 
in the morning, and spending it in de- 
votion, and meditation, gave him firm- 
ness and vigor for the business of the 
whole day." It is in secret that the 
minister best prepares himself for the 
discharge of his duties. Tarrying at 
the throne of grace until he is endued 
with power from on high, he comes forth 

16* 



174 Ray 8 of Light. 

like a giant, able to conquer his enemies, 
and to lead on the armies of Truth to 
sure and complete victory. David never 
vroTild have dared to go out and fight 
Goliath, had he known nothing of secret 
communion with his God. It was in 
the wilderness that he had been trained 
for public service. There unnoticed by 
the world, he had found the source of 
abiding strength, and from the sheep- 
fold he came to slay the giant of the 
Philistines, and lead on to final triumph 
Israel's retreating hosts. He was a cho 
sen man — a man after God's own heart; 
and why ? Because he could say, '^ Whom 
have I in heaven but Thee ? and there 
is none upon earth that I desire beside 
Thee." The Lord was his portion, his 
rock, his salvation, his strength. He 
communed much with his God, and be- 
came God-like. We soon assume the 
manner, and imbibe the spirit of those 
with whom we are familiar, especially 
if the individual be a distinguished per. 
sonage, and we pre-eminently revere 



Secret Prayer. 175 

and love him. Upon this principle, the 
more we have to do with God, the more 
we shall grow into his likeness, and ^' be 
followers of him, as dear children." 
When MosHS came down from the mount 
his face shone; and although he was 
not aware of the lustre himself, the peo- 
ple could not steadfastly behold him 
for the glory of his countenance, and he 
was constrained to hide it under a veil. 
The christian, too, may be insensible of 
his excellences and proficiencies, but his 
profiting will appear unto all men ; all 
will take knowledge of him that he has 
been with Jesus. Do you pray in 
secret % Have you a place where you go 
each day and pour out your desires to 
God ? Says good Mathew Henry, " Back- 
slidinsr begins at the closet door," How 
is it with you \ Do you take as much 
delight in secret prayer as you did once ? 
Remember the words of Jesus. Enter 
into thy closet Do it this very day. 



176 Rays of Light 



A WEEPING WORLD. 

John xi. 33. 

" Jesus saw her weeping." 

This is a weeping world. Once it- 
was not. The time will come when there 
shall be no more weeping. When the 
morning stars sang together, and all the 
sons of God shouted for joy, there were 
no tears. Earth was then sinless. Man 
was placed in Paradise. Around him 
everything was pure, lovely, and beauti- 
ful. No sin had defiled his heart, no 
curse blighted the earth. God, looking 
upon all things that he had made could 
say '' it is very good." Man was the 
noblest of all beings created of dust. 
He was endowed with a mind capable 
of obeying his Creator or of disobeying 
him. The test came. Adam yielded to 
temptation. The flood gates of iniquity 



A Weeping World. 177 

were opened. Sin, wkli its long train 
of misery and sorrows, came in. Earth 
was cursed. Tears began to flow. Since 
then this once beautiful world has been 
a vale of tears, a land of mourning, of 
the dying, and of the dead. Man has 
struggled with the weakness of his own 
nature, and fought bravely for the vic- 
tory over those unseen influences, which 
have sought hi s ruin, but failing often- 
times, has wept and realized the need of 
One " mighty to save." The hope of a 
better state of things has given him 
courage, and been the mainspring of ac- 
tion in all his endeavors to lead a pure 
life, and to attain that perfect and im- 
mortal inheritance promised in the un. 
failing word. Faith in a coming One 
has inspired him to exercise his utmost 
energies in overcoming the world, and 
has produced a quiet spirit of submission 
under those disappointments, and 
chastening afflictions, which he could 
not avert, and which it was necessary 
that he should have in order to be a 



178 JUays of Light. 

partaker of, divine holiness, and be fitted 
for eternal association with sinless 
beings. God will yet have a holy 
world and a holy people. The work of 
reconstruction is going on. It will be 
completed by and by. Out of the ruin 
and chaos of this revolted planet shall 
spring to view a new earth of indescrib- 
able grandeur and incomparable loveli- 
ness. Out of the wreck of fallen 
humanity, shall be gathered a pure, 
blessed, redeemed, glorified multitude, to 
associate for ever with the inhabitants 
of heaven in Paradise restored. 

Earth and heaven shall yet be blend- 
ed in beautiful harmony. Divinity has 
been linked with humanity. Christ 
having taken human nature with him 
to heaven, will also exalt Jivman be- 
ings to sit with him on his throne, 
and to share the glories of his ever- 
lasting home. What a prospect is 
this ! Well can we afford to toil, and 
sacrifice, and suffer, and weep, a little 
while here, if such a high destiny awaits 



A Weeping World. 179 

us over there. Are we chastened? It 
is a loving hand that smites us. He doth 
not grieve nor afflict willingly the chil- 
dren of men, but it is to separate the 
evil from us, to purify our hearts, to 
wean us from a world that would lure us 
to ruin, to draw our affections heaven- 
ward, that he destroys our earthly idols, 
and lays desolate the pleasant objects in 
which we trusted. It is blessed to weep. 
What a relief it affords us when the 
heart is over-burdened with sorrow, and 
the bosom swells with inexpressible 
grief, to go away alone and give vent to 
our feelings in floods of tears. When 
we feel sad, sin-burdened, and lonely 
how blessed it is to weep. The worst kind 
of grief it that which lies heav^y on the 
heart and cannot find expression through 
tears. Those who are peititent and 
broken-hearted do not carry their bur- 
dens long, for they wash them away 
with their tears. ^'Blessed are they 
that mourn for they shall be comforted,'' 
It is blessed to weep with those who 



180 Rays of LigJit 

weep. How sweet to kneel beside the 
penitent one, and weep with him as he 
mourns over his sins. How comforting 
to the bereaved to have some one come 
and weep with them. Human sympathy- 
is valuable. It helps to heal the wounds 
in the sorrowful heart. When Martha 
and Mary wept over the loss of their 
brother, many of their friends came to 
weep with them. It seems that they 
had many friends, but O, there was one 
precious loving friend, who could sympa- 
thize with them as no human being could. 
It was Jesus. He saw them weeping ; 
he knew their sorrows, and he came and 
wept with them. O, what comfort there 
is in the thought that Jesus is our friend. 
He sees, he knows, he sympathizes with 
us in all our sorrows. He is touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities. In 
that future world there will be no more 
weeping, "for the Lamb which is in the 
midst of the throne shall feed them, and 
shall lead them unto living fountains of 
water: and God shall wipe away all 
tears from their eyes.'' Kev. vii: 17. 



Tlie Grave. 181 



THE GRAVE. 

Job XVII. 13. 
^' If I wait the grave is mine house." 

Where are the dead ? Some say ^^ in 
heaven," some say " in hell," some say 
'' in purgatory," some say ^' in the spirit 
land." But what says the bible ? To 
the law and to the testiinony,if they speak 
not according to this word it is because 
there is no light in them. Where did 
Abraham put Sarah when she had died ? 
^' Abraham buried Sarali his wife in the 
cave of the field of Macpelah, before 
Mamre ; the same is Hebron, in the land 
of Canaan." What was do :e with Abra- 
ham w^hen had died ? ^' Then Abraham 
gave up the ghost, and died in a good 
old age, an old man, and full of years ; 
and was gathered to his people. And 
his sons Isaac and Ishmael burieU him 

16 



182 Rays of Light. 

in the cave of Macpelah." Gen. xxv. 8, 9. 
In tMs ancient family burying ground 
the patriarchs were buried. Jacob said 
to his son Joseph " Lo I die ; in my 
grave which I have digged for me in the 
land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury 
me." Here Joseph wished to be buried, 
and he said to the children of Israel, 
" God shall surely visit you, and ye shall 
carry up my bones from hence." Jacob 
and Joseph did not wish to be buried 
in Egypt. As the time of death drew 
near they thought of the old family 
burying ground, and there they wished 
to sleep in unconscious repose. When 
Job the patriarch of Uz, thought he was 
about to pass away he exclaimed : '^ O 
that thou wouldst hide me in the grave, 
that thou wouldst keep me secret, until 
thy wrath be past, that thou wouldst 
appoint me a set time and remember 
me." And again, ^'I know that thou 
wilt bring me to death, and to the house 
appointed for all living." His affliction 
was so great that he saw no chance to 



The Grave. 183 



recover. But God was merciful and 
turned his affliction into joy. Yet this 
wa . only a Tepriei)e from immediate 
death. So Job understood it^ and though 
for a time his life was prolonged and 
he was blessed more abundantly, yet 
said he, ^^ If I wait the grave is mine 
house." However rich or prosperous in 
life, all he needed at last was some little 
spot of ground in which to be buried. 
With this accord the words of Solomon, 
'' All go unto one place ; all are of the 
dust and all turn to dust again." From 
the dust man was created, dust he is 
called while living, and unto dust must 
he return when he dies. What have we 
then, to be proud of? The great, the good, 
the noble, the learned, the benevolent, 
the beautiful have died. Patriarchs, pro- 
phets, apostles, martyrs, saints, young, 
and old, rich and poor, have all met in 
death's great reception room — the grave. 
However proud we may be of our beauty, 
or wealth, or relatives, titles, or position 
in society, here we must part with all. 



184 Mays of Light. 

We brought notliing into this worlds 
and it is certain that we can carry noth- 
ing out. 

" How loved, how valued once avails thee 
not ; to whom related, or by whom begot; a heap 
of dust alone remains of thee; 'tis all thou art and 
all the proud shall be." 

The grave may be considered as an 
universal receptacle. Though the me- 
morials of death do not every v^here 
meet our eye, and particular places are 
properly appropriated for interment, 
and some of them are very capacious 
and crowded ; yet there is scarcely a spot 
that holds not some portion of humanity. 
Perhaps some one has been turned to 
dust beneath the very place where you 
are now sitting. 

" What is the world itself ? Thy world ? 
A grave. Where is the dust that has not been alive? 
The spade, the plough disturbs our ancestors. From 
human mould we reap our daily bread. O'er devas- 
tations we blind revels keep. Whole buried town's 
support the dancer's heel. As nature wide our 
ruins spread; and death inhabits all things, and will 
until the coming of the son of man." 

If the grave is an universal receptacle, 



The Grave. 185 



then how painful its separations. It 
severs the tenderest ties- — thy father, 
thy mother, thy sister, thy brother, 
thy wife, thy husband, thy child, thy 
friendo Who lias not some spot the 
dearfeston earth, and rendered sacred by 
a deposit more precious than gold. 

Yonder goes a mother to weep for her 
child, and a child to weep for its mother. 
Death draws his dividing line through 
all circles. Who has not sustained some 
bereavement ? We are related to the 
dead as well as to the living. ^' Lover 
and friend hast thou put far from me, 
and mine acquaintance into darkness," 

Then how personal the cUmns of the 
grave. Can / escape it ? If it be ap- 
pointed for all living, surely it will re- 
quire me. Yes, it will require me. I 
cannot escape it. I may escape a thou- 
sand other things that befall my fellow- 
creatures; but I must follow them here. 
I see in their end, the emblem, the pledge, 
the certainty of my own. No privilege 
can exempt me here. I am going the 

16* 



186 Mays of Light. 



way of all the earth. I may die soon. 
I may live a few years, yet "- if I wait 
the grave is mineliouser Solemn thought. 
But the grave to a christian, is a sweet 
resting place until the morning of glory 
dawns. It is the dress chamber in which 
he puts on his beautiful garments, to 
arise and meet his Lord in the air. But 
to others, it is the cell of condemnation 
in which the malefactor is lodged till he 
is led out to punishment.'' They that 
sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, 
some to everlasting life, and some to 
shame and everlasting contempt." Dan. 
xii. 2. What will be your destiny be- 
yond the grave ? 



The Risen Jesus. 187 



THE RISEN JESUS. 

Mark xxyiii. 6. 

'' He is risen." 

" He is risen." This presupposes that 
lie was dead. That cannot have a resur- 
rection which is not dead. If Jesus never 
died then the statement concerning his 
resurrection is not true for that can only 
re live which has been once alive and is 
now dead. Jesus was once alive. He 
went about doing good. The world was 
moved by his power. He was taken 
by wicked hands and nailed to the 
cross of Calvary. After a few hours 
ot suffering, he said " It is finished/' and 
he gave up the Ghost, or breathed his 
last. The Son of God was dead, A 
Roman soldier with a spear pierced his 
side There was no life in him. Joseph 
of Aramathea begged his body and laid 



188 Rays of Light 

it in his own new sepulchre. A great 
stone was rolled to the door and sealed, 
and the grave was guarded by a band of 
soldiers. 

^'He is risen." This i^di fact estab- 
lished. Angels declared it. Those holy 
beings can never tell that which is not 
true. On the morning of the third day, 
an angel rolled away the great stone and 
sat upon it. Hear what he said to the 
women who had come to embalm the 
Saviour's body: "Be not affrighted. Ye 
seek Jesus of Nazareth who was cruci^ 
fied : he is risen; he is not here : behold 
the place where they laid him.'' The 
empty sepulchre confirmed the angel's 
statement that he was alive. 

O, hasten and tell the tidings ye faith- 
ful women. Jesus is alive. Tell his 
disciples that you have heard the angels, 
and seen the empty tomb. Tarry not, go 
quickly. 

" He is risen." The disciples saw 
him. He showed himself alive after 
his passion by many infallible proofs. 



Ihe Risen Jesus. 189 

An unbelieving: world has never seen a' 
risen Jesus. They beheld him for the 
last time when he hung upon the cross. 
But the disciples saw him and associated 
with him after his resurrection. He 
showed his hands and his feet. He ate 
and drank with them and convinced 
them that he w as the v^ry same Jesus. 
He confirmed the faith of doubting 
Thomas, and renewed the commission of 
fallen Peter. 

" He is risen." TJi^n he is the Son of 
God. All doubts vanish now. This 
settles the question of his divinity. 
Skeptics and infidels may ground 
the weapons of their rebellion here. 
God would not have raised him from 
the dead if he had not been his Son. 
No chance for evasion now. Jesus is 
the true Messiah. ''He was declared to 
be the Son of Grod with power, accord- 
ing to the Spirit of holiness, by the res- 
urrection from the dead." This demon- 
strates his divinity. 

''He is risen." Then the justifi- 



190 Rays of Light 

'cation of helievers is secured, "He 
was delivered for our offences." We 
had offended God. The law was 
against us. The awful condemnation 
of a guilty conscience was sinking 
us. The debt was more than we could 
pay. But Jesus takes our place. He 
meets the demands of the law. He dies 
the just for the unjust. '' He was raised 
again for our justification." This settles 
the account. We are now in the hands 
of Christ. He has bought us and we 
belong to him. "Being justified by 
faith we have peace with God through 
our Lord Jesus Christ." 

" He is risen." Then the holy spirit 
is given to his people. This was the 
" promise of his father." It could 
not come unless Jesus went away, 
" If I go not away the Comforter will 
not come, but if I go away I will send 
the comforter." Precious promise. It 
has been fulfilled. We have received 
the Comforter, and we know that Jesus 
lives. The spirit and the word agree. 



The Risen Jesus. 191 

'' He is risen." Then they also lohich 
sleep in Jesus will be raised. He has 
conquered death and broken the fet- 
ters of the grave. He is the " pledge," 
the ^' earnest/' the " first fruits" of 
them that sleep, "But now is Christ 
risen from the dead, and become the 
first fruits of them that slept. For 
since by man came death, by man came 
also the resurrectionof the dead." Blessed 
ho])e ! Glorious truth ! *^ I would not 
have you to be ignorant, brethren, con- 
cerning them which are asleep, that ye 
sorrow not even as others which have 
no hope. For if we believe that Jesus 
died and rose again, even so them also 
which sleep in Jesus will God bring 
with him. For this we say unto you by 
the word of the Lord, that we which are 
alive and remain unto the coming of 
the Lord shall not prevent them which 
are asleep. For the Lord himself shall 
descend from heaven, with a shout, with 
the voice of the archangel, and with the 
trump of God : and the dead in Christ 



192 Rays of Light 

shall rise first . Then we which are 
alive and remain shall be caught up 
together with them in the clouds to meet 
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever 
be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort 
one another with these words." 

•^ He is risen." Then he will establish 
his hingdom and reign forever. • Thus, 
it is written, "He shall be great, and 
shall be called the son of the highest ; 
and the Lord God shall give unto him 
the throne of his father David, and he 
shall reign over the house of Jacob for- 
ever; and of his kingdom there shall be 
no end." "I saw one like the son of 
man come with the clouds of heaven 
and there was given him dominion 
and glory, and a kingdom." "And the 
kingdom, and dominion and greatness of 
the kingdom under the whole heaven, 
was given to the people of the saints of 
the most high." 

Are we risen to walk in newness of 
life ? Set your affections on things 
above. 



^ 



Joy in the Morning. 193 



JOY IN THE MORNING. 
Psalm xxx. 5. 

'' Joy cometh in the morning." 

Joy cometh in the morning. This is 
true in our daily experience. Night is 
the season for rest. Many a tired laborer 
comes home at night weary and fretted 
with the cares of the day. He may have 
met with disappointments in business ; 
some one may have wronged him ; he 
may have been irritated and said things 
which cause his heart to feel sad, or 
from some other cause he is not as happy 
as he might be when he comes home to 
his loving family. It is best not to say 
much to him, for he is nervous and needs 
rest. After reading the scripture and 
offering prayer he retires, but for a time 
he is restless on his pillow. By and by 
sweet sleep comes, and he forgets all his 

17 



194 Rays of Light 

troubles. He awakes. It is morning. 
The sun is lighting up the eastern hori- 
zon; the birds are singing their joyful 
notes, the air is refreshing; the flowers 
are sending out their sweet aroma, and 
everything seems new. He goes out, 
and really the morning is so delightful 
he catches an inspiration of joy. He 
feels like a new man. He sings, and 
enters upon his day's work with renewed 
courage. Joy cometh in the morning. 
See the children yonder, going to school. 
How they run, and .skip, and laugh, and 
sing. They are happy and joyful. At 
night it was not so. They came home 
fretted with their lessons, peevish, and 
somewhat sorrowful. Father and mother 
had to caress them, and put the tired little 
creatures to bed. A few hours of refresh- 
ing sleep drove away all their troubles. 
Joy cometh in the morning, and they 
are out again, cheerful and active, pluck- 
ing the wild flowers, washing their feet 
in the dew on their way to school^ where 
with renewed vigor they engage in their 



Joy in the Morning. 195 

studies. It is blessed to behold the 
morning light after watching with the 
sick The hours of night drag slowly 
by as you sit near the sick friend or 
dying child. The monotonous tick, tick 
of the clock, or the mournful chirp, chirp 
of the cricket,makes you feel as if it would 
be joyful to see the sunbeams creeping in 
at the window. Joy cometh in the morn- 
ing. How cheering it must be to the sailor 
boy after encountering a storm at sea, 
amid darkness and tempest, with shat- 
tered rigging, splashing seafoam, and 
fear of a lea-shore — to see the sun beam- 
ing through the clouds, assuring him that 
the storm is past, and the morning come 
again. The watcher on the deck, the 
soldier on the battle-field, the traveller 
in the forest all know the joy that com- 
eth in the morning. The season of con- 
viction for sin is a dark and sorrowful 
night. The person who is awakened to 
see his lost condition out of Christ does 
not feel much like singing or dancing. 
Music for a time has lost its sweetness. 



196 Rays of Light 

Joy departs. Love for mirth and merri- 
meDt is gone. Friends cannot comfort. 
He sees himself a lost sinner. Sorrow 
rests down upon his heart. He tries to 
pray, but O how dark every thing ap- 
pears ! His conviction grows deeper. He 
seeks solitude and wishes to find relief 
to his burdened heart. He prays, " Lord 
save or I perish." Light breaks into his 
mind. By faith he beholds the Lamb of 
God. The sinner is forgiven. He seems 
to hear a sweet voice saying, '' Thy faith 
hath saved thee, go in peace, and sin no 
more." O what a morning is this ! It is 
the morning of forgiveness. He is filled 
with joy and thanksgiving. He goes to 
his friends and says, " Come all ye that 
fear God, and I will declare what he hath 
done for my soul." Joy is manifestative. 
It is stirring —full of music, and activity. 
Joy Cometh in the morning. This world 
is now in its night season. Sin abounds, 
sorrow and tears flow. Death enters our 
homes and robs us of our loved ones. 



Joy in the Morning. 197 

It is a night of weeping. The cries of 
mourning float on every breeze. 

"The air is full of farewells to the dying 
And weepings for the dead. 
The heart of Eachel for her children crying 
And will not be comforted." 

Darkness settles over the land—moral 
darkness — the darkness of sin, of igno- 
rance, of unbelief, of crime. The church 
weeps. From death-beds, from secret 
places of prayer, from scenes of suffering 
and distress, voices are heard saying, 
" how long O Lord, how long ?" From 
afar they cry to the watchmen on Zion's 
walls, ''Watchmen, what of the night? 
watchmen, what of the night ?" The 
watchmen send back the response as 
they see the tokens of approaching day, 
" behold the morning cometL" It is the 
morning of eternal joy. See yonder 
through the rifted clouds the mountain 
peaks of the better land. The distant 
hills and forests are tinged with the 
golden glory of morning. The eastern 
sky is crimson with the beams of dawn- 



17* 



198 Mays of Light 

ing day. Mourner cease your weepings 
morning cometli. See streaks of glory 
shining throngli yonder grave-yard. It 
is the morning of the resurrection^ the 
morning of eternal gloryc Then shall 
the "ransomed of the Lord return, and 
come to Zion with songs and everlasting 
joy upon their heads : they shall obtain 
joy and gladness, and sorrow and sigh- 
ing shall flee away," Isa. xxxv. 10. 



Horae JReligion, 199 



HOME RELIGION. 

2 Sam. Yi: 20. 

*' Then David returned lo bless his household." 

How can a Christian bless his house- 
hold? This is an important question. 
We suppose here that he Jicts a family. 
He is not a poor, illiberal, solitary indi 
vidual ; preferring vice, or mopishness 
or an escape from expense, and trouble, 
to a state which was designed to com- 
plete the happiness of Adam in Paradise, 
and which Inspiration has pronounced 
to be '^ honorable in alL" He believes 
in the wisdom and veracity of God, who 
has said, *' It is not good for man to be 
alone," and having '' children as olive 
plants around his table," he will endeav- 
or to bring them up in the ^^ nurture and 
admonition of the Lord," believiug that 
if he " trains them in the way they should 



200 Hays of Light, 

go, when they are old they will not de- 
part from it." So David thought and 
acted. Official duties did not cause him 
to neglect his family. "Then David 
returned to bless his household.'' 

If you are the head of a family you 
may bless your household by Example 
It is natural for the soldier to look to 
his captain, the scholar to his teacher, 
the servant to his master, the child to 
his parent. Superiors are watched. How 
you live, the example you set, has a 
controlling influence over those under 
you. It will amount to but little for 
you to require your household to walk 
in the right path, unless you walk there 
yourself. Children are imitators ; they 
do what they see others do. Do not for- 
get this. 

You may bless your household by 
Government Order is heaven's first 
law. All of God's arrangements are 
harmonious. Every thing in a family 
should be in order. Your meals, 
your devotional exercises, your rising. 



Home Rdigion. 201 

and your rest. Ifc is important to peace, 
to health, to diligence, and economy. 
What strife, and misery, and poverty 
there is in some households, just because 
there is no order, no regularity. Chil 
dren eating at all times a day, clothes 
scattered about the floor, chairs turned 
up side down, the doors slamming, and 
everything in general confusion. Have 
order. If you are the head of the fam- 
ily^ he the head. Give the commands 
and have them obeyed. Train up a child 
in the way that he shoidd go, and not in 
the way that he would. For what is 
Abraham commended ? '' I know him, 
that he will command his children and 
his household after him, that they shall 
keep the ways of the Lord to do justice 
and judgment." What was the resolu- 
tion of Joshua ? "As for me and my house, 
M^ewill serve the Lord." He had a will 
in the matter. Do not forg-et this. 

You may bless your household by In- 
stniction. Study good books and papers 
on various subjects. Get yoijr head full 



202 Rays of LigU. 

of the right kind of knowledge. Some 
parents do not know much of anything. 
They live in ignorance^ and bring up 
their children the same. I suppose there 
are many homes in this enlightened coun- 
try, where* there are not half a dozen 
good books in the house. You should 
be able to instruct your children in those 
things that pertain to the health of their 
bodies, as well as to the purity of their 
minds. Watch close their secret habits. 
Know where your children go, know 
what they read, now with whom they 
associate. Evil communications corrupt 
good manners, Do not forget this. 

You may bless your household by 
securing their attendance on the means 
of Grace. How strange and inconsist- 
ent it looks for parents to attend church, 
and allow their children to stroll f.bout 
on the Sabbath. Early impressions and 
practices are not soon forgotten. Take 
them with you to the house of God, and 
let them hear the word of truth pro- 
claimed. Ministers ought to preach sim 



Home Religion. 203 

pie enough so the children can under- 
stand them. Do not starve the lambs 
to death, nor drive them away by scold- 
ing at them. Give them something to 
eat. In your deep researches after truth, 
and eagerness to present it, do not for- 
get the lambs. Jesus did not. He took 
them in his arms and blessed them, and 
in his last charge to Peter, he said, " Feed 
my lambsi." Do not forget this. 

You may bless your household by hav- 
ing family Devotion. Read the Bible, and 
pray with your family. Serve God at 
home. Let your home be a pure, sweet, 
heavenly place. Make it attractive. Be 
pleasant, good natured, and heavenly 
minded. If there is anything beautiful 
and lovely in this world, it is a christian 
home, where parents and children live 
in peace and harmony, and where the 
Son of Peace continually abides. Give 
your children music. Sing praises to 
Jesus. O fathers, O mothers, whatever 
your engagements in other directions, 
do not forget your homes. Whatever 



204 Rays of Light. 

else you neglect, do not neglect your 
family. Bring up your children in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord. 
You are responsible. If you want your 
children to rise up and bless you through 
eternal years, then ''bless your house- 
hold" while you have health, time and 
opportunity. Do not forget this. 



Might and Wrong. 205 



RIGHT AND WRONG. 

Prov, IV. 26. 
" Ponder the path of thy feef 

Walk with your eyes open. See where 
you are going There are a great many 
dangerous paths in this world. It is al- 
most impossible for a young person to 
start out from home, without being led 
into some wrong path. There are snares, 
temptations, and a thousand voices, in- 
viting in the wrong direction. Look 
well, consider every step you take. 
Wrong beginning, makes wrong ending. 
Be sure you are right, and then go 
ahead. It you were going on a long 
journey it would be of the utmost im- 
portance that you got into the right 
train. Many a man who has made mis- 
takes, would retrace his steps and take 
a different course if he could. It is too 
late. He is shipwrecked for eternity. 

18 



206 Rays of Light 

Failures in business, failures in health, 
failures in happiness, tailures of heaven, 
are often to be attributed to wrong be- 
ginnings. There ^5* a right way. See 
that you choose it. 

Suppose two sea captains are about to 
sail to some foreign port. One of them 
is wise the other unwise. We may sup- 
pose them to reason after this manner. 
One says, ''the voyage I am about to 
take across the ocean is a long and peril- 
ous one. I will prepare for it. I will 
have my vessel overhauled, repaired, 
and everything made sure and strong as 
possible, so that she may be able to 
stand any storm, and take my cargo 
safely to the distant port." He does so. 
At considerable expense and pains he 
makes due preparation for the voyage. 
He goes to the custom house officer and 
gets his clearance papers, and is all 
ready to hoist sail and away. The other 
captain makes no preparation of this 
kind. He says — '' my old craft has 
made many successful voyages. I cannot 



JiigJit and V/rong. 207 

go to the expense and trouble of having 
her overhauled. I know she needs re- 
pairing, but I vrill risk it." 

He loads her. He does not go to the 
custom house officer to get his clearance 
papers. He is presumptuous and runs 
the risk of entering a foreign port with- 
out any legal documents to show who he 
is or where he is from. All is ready, 
and they sail. Down the harbor they 
go. One apparently bids as fair to make 
as successful a voyage as the other. They 
sail on. By and by they get out into 
the ocean, where the mighty winds and 
waves test the strength of each vessel. 
One rides on majestically cutting her 
way through the foam, showing no signs 
of leakage, and giving her captain and 
crew no uneasiness concerning her safety. 
The other snaps and creaks, and tosses 
about in a fearful manner. The captain 
and crew are frightened, and work 
night and day at the pumps to keep her 
from sinking. The recklessness of this 
captain has caused them a great deal of 



208 Mays of Light. 

trouble, but this is not the worst of it. 
After a while the distant port heaves 
in view. They approach the harbor and 
cast anchor. An officer is sent off to 
inspect the vessels, and to call for the 
papers of each captain. The first shows 
his clearance papers, and gives satis- 
factory evidence that everything is all 
right. He is permitted to pull up to 
the wharf, discharge his cargo, buy and 
sell, and is protected by the authorities. 
The papers of the other captain are called 
for. He has none to show. '' Who are 
you ? where are you from ?" says the 
officer. He has nothing to show. He 
and the crew are taken and bound as 
prisoners. The vessel and cargo is 
taken, and perhaps sold or anchored 
near to some fort where the enemies 
guns are levelled at it. This captain 
came to a miserable end. He had a 
perilous voyage, and when he reached 
the other side was captured^ lost his ves- 
sel, cargo and perhaps his own life. 
These captains may illustrate the con- 



MigJd and Wrong. 209 

duct and destiny of two classes of men« 
The wise and foolish^ or those who start 
right and those who start wrong on the 
voyage of life. The wise man says : "I 
am destined for another world. I am 
going to a distant port. I know that 
my voyage will be attended with perils. 
I shall need strength to meet the diffi- 
culties. I shall also need something to 
recommend me at the end of my journey. 
I will prepare for it. I will overhaul 
my heart and get all sin out of it. I will 
repent and amend my ways. I will go 
to the throne of grace and get my 
clearance papers, signed by the Lord 
Jesus Christ." 

The foolish man says, " I know that 
I cannot always live here. My judg- 
ment tells me that I am sailing on to- 
wards the great future, but then I guess 
it will be well enough with me. I can- 
not fuss and bother about repentance 
and holy living. I think I will come 
out about as well as the best of them. 
I will risk it." He does not repent, 

18* 



210 Rays of Light. 

pray nor believe in the Lord Jesus as 
the Saviour of sinners. A i^w years 
pass on. They come to the judgment 
seat. The ofl&cers of heaven are sent out; 
to examine them. ''Where are your 
papers ?" " Here they are," says the 
wise man, '' sealed with the blood of 
Jesus.'' '' Well done, thou good and 
faithful servant," says the officer '' thou 
hast been faithful over a few things, I 
will make thee ruler over many things, 
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.'' 
The face of the foolish man gathers 
paleness, and he hears the words, " Bind 
him, hand and foi^t and cast hiin into 
outer darkness." 



Which Tcind of Religion 211 



WHICH KIND OF RELIGION. 

elAMES I. 27. 

" Pure religion and undefiled before God and the 
Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows 
in their affliciion, and to keep himself unspotted 
from the world." 

We read of three kinds of religion in 
the Bible, '' Our religion," '' vcdn relig- 
ion," and ^^ pure religion." Which kind 
have you? We may learn something of 
" our religion," as to its nature and ef- 
fects, by glancing at the character of the 
apostle Paul previous to his conversion. 
He says concerning himself, that *' after 
the straitest sect of our religion I lived 
a Pharisee." How did he live ? He glo- 
ried in his literary attainments, his strict 
adherence to the law, his pedigree as 
being a literal descendent of Abraham, 
and no doubt like many Pharisees he 
made long prayers, and gave tithes of 



212 Rays of Light 

all that he possessed. Bat he had a 
narrow, bigoted, hateful, sectarian, per- 
secuting spirit. Our religion was all the 
religion he thought good for anything, 
and he wanted to kill and exterminate 
those who advanced views contrary to 
the laiVj though they manifested a much 
better spirit than the sect to which he 
belonged. He held the garments of 
those who killed Stephen, and he was 
on his way to Damascus to persecute the 
saints when the Lord met him. He was 
so hateful that the Lord had to knock 
him off of his horse, and smite him with 
blindness befoi'e he would yield. He 
thought our religion must be supported, 
even if he killed all the good people on 
earth. I wonder if there is any of this 
kind of religion in our day ? Are there 
any long-faced churchgoers who are all 
wrapped up in " our party " ? Are there 
any sectarians ? Are there any persecu- 
tors? A thorough conversion to God set 
Paul all right, and it will do the same 
for others. 



Which hind of Religion, 213 

The next is " vaia religion." How 
shall I define what this is ? I think I will 
let James do it : '^ If any man among 
you seemeth to be religious, and bridleth 
not his tongue, this man's religion is 
vain." How much of this kind there is 
in the land ! Go to yonder prayer meet- 
ing; hear that brother or sister sing^ 
talk, and pray; surely they must be 
saints. Follow them home ; how they 
scold and fret, and find fault. See them 
go through the neighborhood ; what tat- 
tling, whispering, backbiting, slandering, 
gossiping, and evil speakiog. That un- 
ruly member does run like a wild horse 
without a bridle, and the whole commu- 
nity is ; oon in an uproar. Perhaps there 
is no one point where professors are more 
liable to fail than in an improper use of 
the tongue. Remember that for ^' every 
idle word we speak, we must give ac- 
count thereof in the day of judgment." 
Jesting, joking and all corrupt and evil 
speaking is positively forbidden. Do 
not forget it. If any man among you 



214 Rays of Light 

seemeth to be religious, and bridleth not 
his tongue, this man's religion is vain.'' 
He is deceived. If you are sailing on 
this course stop. Tack ship and sail 
in another direction. 

The third, is '^ pure religion." This is 
the right kind. Hovi^ heavenly it is ! 
This kind will take you into the celes- 
tial port. Let James speak again. " Pure 
religion and undefiled before God and 
the Father is this : To visit the father- 
less and widows in their aifliction, and 
to keep himself unspotted from the 
world." This religion is pure in its 
origin, pure in its nature, pure in its in- 
fluence. It purifies and elevates every 
heart into which it enters. It improves 
society wherever it touches it. It has 
stamped upon it the benediction of 
heaven, for it is " pure and undefiled 
before God the Father." No person can 
have this kind of religion unless he is 
made better. t destroys the old selfish 
disposition, and implants a spirit of be- 
nevolence. It uproots the carnal mind 



Which hind of Religion. 215 

which tends to death, and produces the 
spiritual mind which is life and peace. 
This religion does not live pent up within 
itself; it gushes forth, leaps out, like a 
spring overleaping its banks and spread- 
ing its life-giving waters all around. 
O for more of this kind of religion. How 
many poor widows and orphans would 
be relieved of their sufferings. How 
much money would be appropriated to 
a better purpose, which is now expended 
for needless and distasteful apparel. 
How many precious moments would be 
saved or improved in cultivating the 
mind, which are now wasted. How 
holy and heavenly would the prayer 
meeting be. With what delight and 
power would ministers preach if the 
truth was received into good and hon- 
est hearts. Do not forget. There are 
three kinds of religion: Our religion 
Vain religion, Pure religion. Which 
kind have you ? 



216 Rays of Light 



LIGHT IN THE BINNACLE, 

1 John i. 7. 

" Walk in the Light." . 

^^ Box the compass^' is an expression 
sometimes used by mariners when they 
are about to take a sea voyage. Now 
the compass is one of the most important 
instruments used in sea-faring business. 
Without it no captain would dare ven- 
ture on the trackless ocean^ for he would 
not know which way to steer, and his 
vessel would be in constant danger of 
striking rocks, reefs or sand-bars. 

But the compass with its needle, ever 
pointing to the north is placed in a little 
box called the binnacle near the wheel, 
so that the man who steers the vessel 
can keep his eye vpori it^ and thus know 
in which direction to turn the helm. 
The compass would be of no importance 
to the helmsman unless he could see it, 
A blind man could not steer a vessel, 



Light in the Binnacle. 217 

neither can a man with good eyesight, 
unless the compass is placed where he 
can see it, and know exactly which way 
its needle points. In order to do this 
there must be light in the hinnacle. Man 
cannot see in the dark — he must have 
light. But the ocean is traversed quite 
as much in the night as in the day. 
When the shades of evening gather 
over the deep, a lamp is placed in the 
side of the binnacle, so as to throw light 
on the compass. Thus the helmsman 
can guide his vessel just as well in the 
night as in the day. Men are sailing on 
life's ocean. All are voyagers — either 
to the port of everlasting rest, or to the 
gulf of everlasting perdition. None are 
standing still — all are being rapidly 
borne on to one place or the other. The 
Bible is the compass by w^hich all are 
invited to steer. It always points in 
the right direction. But in order that 
men may steer their lives by this com- 
pass they must have light This is a 
dark world. Men must in some way be 

19 



218 B^ays of Liglit. 

enabled to see the points of the compass 
or they cannot steer in the right direc- 
tion. The Holy Spirit is the light. 
Men may have the Bible in their hands, 
and a knowledge of it in their heads, 
and yet not see its truths, nor steer their 
lives by it. Their minds are not lit up 
by the Spirit. They have no faith 
They are yet carnal. They are blind 
through unbelief. They need the illumi- 
nation of heaven in order that they may 
understand the truth, and see to steer 
their vessel towards the celestial port. 
The same spirit that inspired holy 
men to write the Scriptures, will light 
up the mind of every individual who 
reads them with a believing heart. 
A great many are sailing on, on, on 
toward eternity, and yet they are sail- 
ing in the dark. Some ministers are 
sailing in the dark. They preach not 
the word of God, and they have not his 
spirit. They are blind leaders of the 
blind. Churches are sailing in the 
dark. They have beautiful church edi- 



Light in the Binnacle. 219 

fices, beautiful pulpits, beautiful gilt 
edge bibles, beautiful choirs, beautiful 
forms and ceremonies, beautiful congre- 
gations — but no spirit, no light. All 
church members who have not the spirit 
are in the dark. More light, more 
light ! Light in the binnacle is what 
they need. More spirituality, more 
heavenly mindedness, more activity and 
earnestness in prayer-meetings. Not 
lightning flashes, but steady, burning^ 
light. The world of unbelievers is 
in the dark. Sailing on to the great 
and awful gulf of eternal destruction, 
with no light. Unbelief, unbelief! 
This shuts out the light of Grod. It is 
the office of the spirit to give light. 
It is the spirit that convinces of sin, of 
righteousness, and of a judgment to 
come. It is the spirit that leads into all 
truth. The natural man discerneth not 
the things of the spirit. They are 
foolishness unto him. How can he un. 
derstand the bible when he grieves the 
spirit and shuts out of his mind the 



220 Mays of Light 

light of heaven ? All work without the 
spirit is work in the dark. Awake, thou 
that sleepest, and Christ shall give thee 
light. Light in the binnacle ! light in 
the binnacle ! Prayer is the match that 
lights the lamp in the heart. When the 
captain wishes a light placed in the 
binnacle, he rings a bell to call the 
steward Voyager to eternity, have you 
asked for light that you might see to 
steer your vessel in the channel of obedi- 
ence ? Ring the bell of prayer Ring, 
ring, call for light. '' Ask and ye shall 
receive.'' Thank God, some have light 
in the binnacle. They see the truth, 
and are walking in the spirit — sailing 
sweetly on toward the heavenly port. 
Soon they will anchor safe within the 
vail. 



A Brother'^ s Advice. 221 



A BROTHER^S ADVICE. 
Gen. xly. 24. 

^* See that ye fall not out by the way,'^ 

Who can read the history of Joseph 
and his brethren and not have their heart 
stirred withiij them? It is one of those 
touching narratives that moves upon our 
feelings, and leaves an impression that 
we cann jt soon forget. Every part of 
this account is interesting ;• but I only 
wish now, to call your attention to the 
advice Joseph gave to his brethren when 
he sent them away from Egypt, with 
Pharoah's orders to bring back their 
father, Jacob, with all his family. From 
it we may draw some useful lessons for 
our practical improvement. Joseph had 
long ago discovered his brethren to be 
of a peevish, quarrelsome disposition, 
and the late very moving transaction of 

19* 



222 Bays of Light 

Ms inaMog himself known unto them, 
he justly imagined would call to their 
minds what they had formerly done 
unto him, and very probably be the oc- 
casion of reviving their mutual conten- 
tions ; and that which confirmed him in 
the suspicion was his overhearing his 
eldest brother upbraiding the rest on 
this head, saying, '^ Spake I not unto you 
saying ^ do not sin against the child, and 
ye would not hear? therefore behold, 
also his blood is required,' " Gen. 42. 22. 
Though at that time they knew not that 
he understood them, because he conferred 
with them by an interpreter. 

Upon so well grounded suspicion, 
then, no advice appeared to him more 
seasonable or necessary to be given them 
at parting, than this caution, '' See that 
ye fall not out by the way." 

Joseph still loved his brethren, and 
had forgiven them all, and therefore lays 
them all under the same obligation to 
love and foro;ive one another. The same 
charge our Lord Jesus Christ hath given 



A Brother'^s Advice. 223 

to all his disciples, that they '4ove one 
another," that they ^4ive in peace,'' and 
that they '^ forgive as they hope to be 
forgiven." Let us notice — 

1st. That this exhortation to avoid 
all uncharitable contentions does not 
oblige us to be of the same sentiments, 
or in the strict sense of the phrase, to 
think the same thing. This, in the very 
nature of things is simply impossible. 
There are probably no two individuals 
in the world that see and think exactly 
alike in all things. Whilst men are of 
a different make and complexion of mind, 
they must see things differently, and 
hold different opinions. And to compel 
men by acts of violence to be of the 
same opinion, is infinitely absurd. To 
use harsh means and torment men's bod- 
ies in ord^r to enlio;hten their minds, is 
just as reasonable as to pretend to cure 
a wound by.au argument; and they 
who are for informing men's judgments 
by breaking their bones, may as well 



224 Bays of Liglit. 

attempt to set them again by a lecture 
on logic. 

No ; as men are accountable for their 
own conduct, they should think and 
judge for themselves, and not suffer their 
consciences to be domineered over, or 
their understanding dictated to, or their 
faith directed, by any man or any set of 
men, any further than their directions 
and instructions harmonize with the 
words of the great Teacher. 

One is your Master, even Christ, and 
all ye are brethren. To His w^ords 
we are required to give heed; for the 
words that he hath spoken shall judge 
us in the last day. 

2d. In order to live in peace very large 
and charitable allowances must be made 
for every one's natural tempers ; which, 
though it be not so much out of his 
power as his judgment, yet as it is nat- 
ural and born with him, it is one of the 
most difficult things in the world some- 
times, to correct its faults, and though 
reason directs and religion obliges us to 



A Bvot]ier''s Advice, 225 

this, yet how often does nature rebel 
against reason, evade religion, and break 
through the restraints of both. What- 
ever abatements are due on this score, 
certain it is that as persons may be of 
different judgment;^, so they may be of 
diffei'ent natural dispositions and yet be 
united in the bonds of Christian love. 

3d. This exhortation does not require 
us to be insensible to the mistakes and 
feelings of good men. All men are en- 
compassed with infirmities, and are liable 
to mistakes. In the best of men we may 
see things that appear to us to be wrong, 
and we cannot help being displeased 
therewith, and the more in proportion 
as we ourselves are affected thereby. 
But with all their faults we ought to 
love them for their virtues, at least the 
latter shrfuld prevent our falling out with 
them on account of the former. One 
great object of the adversary is, to per- 
suade people to magnify the faults of 
others while they diminish their own. 
Backbiting, faultfinding, and evil speak- 



226 Rays of Light. 

ing, are prevailing sins among professors 
of religion at the present time. We can 
hardly go into any public place but what 
we hear professors talking about the 
faults of some absent brother or sister. 
Is this right ? Does God approve of con- 
duct which is not in harmony with his 
word ? Are we to treat an erring brother 
or sister as boys do a football; every 
one give it a kick, and send it further as 
it passes along? Are we to drive indi- 
viduals away from the right path, instead 
of winning th em to it ? Is this not one 
reason why so many churches, that were 
once united, have been divided and their 
members scattered ? I think it is. Breth- 
ren have allowed envy, malice, and 
hatred, to creep into their hearts; con- 
sequently there is '' confusion and every 
evil work." The wisdom that is from 
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, 
and easy to be entreated, full of mercy 
and good fruits, without partiality, and 
without hypocrisy. And the fruit of 
righteousness is sown in peace of them 



A Brother'' s Advice. 227 

that make peace. It is true we are not 
to wink at sin, nor fellowship those who 
persist in doing wi'ong ; but if a brother 
or sister be overtaken in a fault, are we 
to reject them, speak evil of them, and 
shun their company ? Let the Apostle 
answer. " Brethren if a man be over- 
taken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, 
restore such an one in the spirit of meek- 
ness; considering thyself, lest thou also 
be tempted." Gal. 6. 1. 

Irreconcilable resentment is not al- 
lowed to Christians. The whole extent 
of the duty recommended in the lan- 
guage of Joseph to his brethren may be 
comprehended under the great Christian 
duty of love^ so often inculcated and re 
peated in the New Testament. This is 
the very genius and spirit of the Gospel, 
without which there can be nothing of 
the true Christian disposition. Of this 
the apostle Paul gives a most beautiful 
and animated description, in (1 Cor. 13.), 
imder the name of Charity. He says, 
''Charity suffereth long, and is kind; 



228 Rays of LigliL 

charity envieth not ; charity vaunteth 
not itself, is not puffed up; Doth not be- 
have itself unseemingly, seeketh not her 
own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no 
evil ; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but re 
joiceth in the truth ; Beareth all things^ 
believeth all things, hopeth all things, 
endureth all things. Charity never 
faileth;' 

The relation and circumstances which 
Joseph's brethren were in when he gave 
them this advice, and which were so 
many inducements to them to comply 
with it, are in a good degree common to 
us, and so far are equally proper to 
engage us to the same. For 

1st. We are Brethren. Like the pa- 
triarchs we have all one Father. We 
should therefore love as brethren. 

All believers were once children of 
wrath, w^alking in darkness, hateful and 
hating one another ; but they have been 
redeemed from sin, and adopted into the 
family of God. Now they are no more 
strangers and foreigners, but fellow cit- 



A Brother^ s Advice. 229 

izens with the saints and of the house- 
hold of God. Among brethren there is 
oftentimes a great dissimilitude of con. 
dition and circumstances. Some are weak, 
others strong. Some excel in capacity, 
others in good temper ; others in knowl- 
edge; but that which should unite all 
in affection is, that they have all one 
Father. As we are all children of our 
Father in heaven, and are taught to ac- 
knowledge and address him as such, this 
filial relation wherein we stand to God, 
should remind us of the fraternal rela- 
tion wherein we stand to one another, 
and the mutual love it requires. " Love 
as brethren ;" be '^ kindly affectioned one 
to another, with brotherly love; ''let 
brotherly love continue." 

2d. It was another considerable mo- 
tive to the patriarchs to comply with 
this advice, that it was given them by 
their own dear exalted brother, who 
had not only the tenderest regard tor 
their welfare and interest, by the ties of 
nature, but was able to support it by 

20 



230 Rays of LigJit. 

the power and dignity of his station. 
We have the same motive to influence 
us ; for this commandment to " love one 
another," is given us by Jesus Christ 
himself, who is not ashamed to call us 
brethren, and ^^ who was in all things 
made like unto his brethren, that he 
might be a merciful and faithful high 
priest in things pertaining to God, to 
make reconciliation for the sins of the 
people." And as our exalted Brother, 
who having loved his own, he loved 
them unto the end, he hath given us 
this reasonable advice, that we " love 
one another, as he hath loved us ;" and 
by this, says he, '^ shall all the world 
know that ye are my disciples ; if ye 
have love one to another." 

3d. Another reason why Joseph's 
brethren should not fall oat with one 
another was, because they were all guilty^ 
not only in their behavior towards Jo- 
seph, but in all probability in their be- 
havior towards one another. And is not 
this our own case ? However, most cer- 



A Brother^ s Advice. 231 

tain it is we are all no less guilty to- 
wards Christ, than Joseph's brethren 
were towards him. We stand infinitely 
more in need of his forgiveness than any 
of our ofi*ending brethren do of ours, and 
his readiness to forgive us all should 
strongly induce us to forgive one another. 
Therefore this duty may be further urged 
from this consideration, that we all hope 
to be forgiven of God. And our forgiv- 
ing others is made one of the express 
conditions of our receiving forgiveness 
from him. We pray on no other terms, 
when we say, '^ Forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us." And our Lord explains 
that petition of his prayer in this sense : 
" If," says he, ^^ ye forgive not men their 
trespasses, neither will your Father foi- 
give you your trespasses." And to in- 
duce us to this forgiving temper, no 
consideration can have a greater force 
than this, that our greatest enemy can- 
not stand so much in need of our forgive- 
ness as we do of God's. So Joseph's 



232 Hays of Light. 

brethren knew when tht^y came to their 
father's house, they should be all filled 
with self-remorse and shame, in unravel- 
ing to him the whole mystery of his 
son's story, and would all want his for- 
giveness, which consideration would be 
a strong argument to comply with their 
brother's advice — ^' Not to fall out by 
the way." 

4th. Like them we are all sojourners 
in a strange land. It has been observed 
that there is not here to be found a more 
sincere and disinterested friendship than 
among those of the same country in for- 
eign lauds, at a distance from their com- 
mon home. Their being exposed to the 
same hazards, difficulties, and disasters, 
and having the same interests, views, 
and designs with regard to their jour- 
ne}^, is that which knits their hearts 
to^rether with a more than common tie 
of affection, Happy if the same obser- 
vation could with equal force be made 
of all Christians who, in a religious view, 
are in the same circumstances, — pilgrims 



A Brother^ Advice. 233 

and strangers on the earth, having no 
continuing city here, but seeking one to 
come. It is something unnatural and 
unscriptural, then, for them to be alien- 
ated in their affections, and to increase 
the inconveniences of their journey by 
their " falling out by the way." 

5th. Another circumstance common 
to us with Joseph's brethren, and which 
should equally induce us to comply with 
the exhortation he gave them is, that we 
are all traveling to the same home ^ that 
whatever different subordinate views we 
may each entertain here, our main view 
is the same; we are all tending to the 
same place. Our Father's house, where 
there are many mansions, the holy Jeru- 
salem, the ^^ citv which hath foundations, 
whose builder and maker is God." Ja- 
cob's sons were going back to their 
father's house; So all Christians are 
traveling toward the same home. What 
a glorious home that will be, where the 
saints of all ages shall meet. How beau- 
tifully the beloved John has described 

20* 



234 Bays of Light 

it in Rev. 21 and 22. Oar Elder Brother 
will send forth his angels, and purge out 
of his kingdom all things that offend 
and them .which do iniquity ; then shall 
the righteous shine forth as the sun in 
the kingdom of their Father. This 
blessed hope of what we expect to en- 
joy when we arrive safely at homej should 
effectually prevent us from ^* falling out 
by the way." The world to come will 
be a place that knows nothing of those 
jarring discords, feuds, and confusions, 
which infest this sinful world. That 
will be a peaceful country. The strifes 
and bickerings of time will be done, and 
the weary pilgrims who have been tossed 
and buffeted in a foreign land, will then 
find rest and peace near the throne of 
God. Then the Prince of peace will 
reign, and those that ^' wait upon the 
Lord shall inherit the earth, and delight 
themselves in the abundance of peace." 
Sin shall be banished from that peace- 
ful clime. Sorrow and sighing shall flee 
away. The angels shall gather his elect 



A Brother's Advice. 235 

from every land, and they shall sit down 
in the kingdom with Abraham, Isaac, 
and Jacob, and go no more out forever. 
Let us, then, remember the home 
towards which we are rapidly hastening, 
and it will be a good incentive to pre- 
vent our '' falling out by the way." 



236 Rays of Light 



THE MIND OP JESUS, 

Phil. ii. 5. 

*' Let this mind be in you." 

Jesus was Humble, No proud, vain, 
swelling ftioughts of self importance, 
ever found a place in his mind. If he 
had been a depraved, sinful mortal, 
doubtless he would have been '' puffed 
up" through the wonderful success at- 
tending his ministry; but he was the 
Son of the Highest, hence, he needed 
not to seek glory among men. He cer- 
tainly had occasion to glory after the 
flesh, had he been so disposed, for his po- 
sition was higher than the angels, and his 
power mightier than the kings of the 
earth. With a word, he could hush the 
raging of the sea, and quiet the fury of 
the tempest. He could cast out devils, 
and heal all manner of diseases ; he could 
raise the dead and banish the gloom of 



The Mind of Jems. 237 

the grave; lie could feed the hungry 
multitudes with a handful of bread ; he 
could foretell future events, and read 
the hidden thoughts of the human 
heart. Never was there a character be- 
fore like him. In him were hid all the 
treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 
He was the only begotten of the father — 
full of grace and truth. Surely if pride 
were commendable, such a being as this 
would have exhibited it in his life aad 
conversation; but no, behold the hu- 
mility of Him — ^' who being in the form 
of God, thought it not robbery to be 
equal with God ; but made himself of no 
reputation, and took upon him the form 
of a servant, and was made in the like- 
ness of men. And being found in fashion 
as a man he humbled himself and be- 
came obedient unto death, even the 
death of the cross" Let this mind be 
in 3^ou which was also in Christ Jesus. 
He did not seek for a great name, a 
great position or to be thought w^ell of 
before men. He did not flaunt and 



238 Rays of Light. 

make a great display witii costly apparel. 
He was satisfied with plain and common 
things. His was an every day religion. 
The common people heard him gladly, 
and to the poor he preached the words 
of everlasting life. Everywhere and on 
all occasions he manifested a meek and 
lowly spirit, and it was upon the humble 
that he pronounced his benediction. 
'' Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs 
is the kingdom of heaven." Have we 
the mind that was in Jesus ? Have we 
come to him and received of his spirit ? 
Do we imitate him in meekness and hu- 
mility ? 

Jesus was Bold. Humility is not 
laziness, neither is boldness brass. 
There are many who manifest a brazen- 
faced audacity ; they fear neither God 
nor man ; and they rush on through the 
world trying to make others think they 
are good or great when they are not. 
This was not the boldness Jesus mani- 
fested. His was a boldness based upon 
riglit principles, riglit motives and right 



TJie Mind of Jesus. 239 

doing. He knew that he was right; 
hence he could meec his enemies with 
unblushing confidence. He could re- 
buke iniquity and expose hypocrisy, and 
put to shame and silence those who 
came to catch hi m in his conversation. 
Looking in the face of the Pharisees, 
who persecuted, and sought to take him, 
he could say, " which of you convinceth 
me of sin?" Jesus had a consciousness 
of purity within ; hence he moved on- 
ward with unyielding and unflinching 
courage through his earthly career, de- 
spising the shame until he experienced 
the last act of human indignity in being 
nailed to the cross. He did not fail or 
become discouraged. He had a work to 
do and he did it. He triumphed over all 
his foes, and became the captain of our 
salvation. Have we this mind ? Are 
we bold for Jesus ? Do we confess him 
before men ? Can we stand for God 
though we stand alone? 

Jesus was Patient. His life was 
one of toil, of suffering, of conflict,, 



240 Rays of Light. 

of perplexity, of persecution, of temp- 
tation, of sorrow and of tears. He 
was a man of sorrows and ac- 
quainted with grief; yet no murmur- 
ing or repining ever escaped his lips. 
The storm gusts of earth never raised a 
ripple upon the placid waters of his 
mind. In him all was calm, clear, serene 
and tranquil as a midsummer sunset. 
There was nothing hasty, impetuous or 
fretful about him. He was se]f-possess(^d. 
In patient, lamb-like submission he re- 
ceived the scourge and the crown of thorns 
No feeling of anger or revenge rankled 
in his bosom. Even amid the darkness 
and solemnit}^ of Calvary's tragic scenes 
the rainbow of peace hung about his 
gentle brow. Was there ever patience 
like his? "When he was reviled he 
reviled not again ; when he suffered he 
threatened not, but committed himself 
to him that judgeth righteously,'^ Have 
we this mind ? Are we patient under 
the provocations of life ? Do we never 
murmur nor repine ? Are our minds 



Tlie Mind of Jesus. 241 

calm and clear as a waveless stream ? 
Do tlie muddy waters of strife and envy 
never rise to the surface ? When dis- 
appointments come are we calm then ? 
When adversity approaches can we kiss 
the rod ? When loved ones are snatched 
away by the hand of death are we quiet 
and submissive? When laid upon a 
sick bed do we calmly trust in our 
heavenly father ? Do we take pleasure 
in infirmities, and rejoice in the midst of 
earth's keenest sorrows? It is given 
unto us in the behalf of Christ, not only 
to believe on his name, but also to 
suffer for his sake. 

Jesus was Benevolent, In him 
there was a fullness of love, sympa- 
thy, compassion and goodness. It was 
impossible for him not to do good — it 
was a part of his nature. From his 
heart and hands flowed a constant stream 
of blessings. He was rich, yet for our 
sakes he became poor, that we through 
his poverty might become rich. Gaze 
upon him, yonder by the temple gates, 

23 



242 Rays of LigTit 

as' the rays of the setting sun fall upon 
him. He has toiled all day, and still is 
ready to toil all night if need be. See 
the multitude throng him, bringing the 
halt, the lame, the maimed, the blind, 
and the sick of every description. How 
he heals and blesses them all and asks 
not a penny. How he forgives the peni- 
tent, binds up the broken hearted^ and 
bids the captives go free. How gently 
be reproves the erring and restores the 
fallen. O, was there ever love like the 
love of Jesus? What has he not done 
for the comfort and salvation of sinners? 
He gave his life for hi enemies. Have 
we this mind ? Are we benevolent ? Is 
it our chief delight to do good ? Do 
we deny self to bless others ? 

Jesus was Holy. He was born holy, 
but this holiness was maintained by a 
strict conformity to his Father's will. 
He was obedient in all things. There 
were no rebellious thoughts in his heart. 
His language was — "I delight to do thy 
will, O God ; yea thy law is within my 



Tite Mind of Jesus. 243 

heart." He loved to k eep his Father's com. 
mandments. His obedience was cheer- 
ful and aflFectionate. Have we this 
mind ? Are we holy ? Have we been 
transformed by the renewing of our 
mind ? Do we delight to obey God ? 
Are we obedient in all things ? Only 
the obedient have the promise of eternal 
salvation. May we have the mind of 
Jesus. 



244 Bays of Liglit. 



FORGIVENESS: 

Matt. vi. 12. 

*' Forgive us as we forgive." 

Does it read just so ? Yes, Just so. 
Turn and read it. Does it mean just so ? 
Just so exactly. If you do not from your 
heart forgive men their trespasses, then it 
isuseless foryou to ask forgiveness of God. 
The ground* on which we may expect for- 
giveness of our heavenly father, is that we 
forgive those who have trespassed against 
us. Now, if we come to the throne of 
grace to offer prayer and supplication, 
and there, remember that we have aught 
against any person on earth, and we can- 
not freely, fully and from tlie lieart 
forgive them^ then we need not hope 
for forgiveness from Him against whom 
we have sinned so many times, for the 
Saviour has taught us to pray after this 



ForgiDenees. 245 

manner '' forgive us our trespasses as we 
forgive those who have trespassed against 
us." Note that little word " as ; " as toe 
forgive. This little word has great 
power in this connection. It is the 
point on which the success of our peti- 
tion turn^. If we fail to get an answer 
to our prayer, it may be that we do not 
feel as we ought toward some one. Sup- 
pose now you pray for the Lord to 
bless you, to forgive and guide you, and 
at the same time you know that there is 
one individual you hold hardness against 
do you think the Good Spirit is coming 
to bring an answer to your petition i 
No, it will not ; every time you pray 
with hardness in your heart, according to 
this model prayer of our Saviour, you 
virtually say, " Lord, there is one person I 
hate, I cannot forgive him. I pray thee 
to forgive me as I forgive him." Some 
people ought to be thankful that their 
prayers are not answered, for if they 
were according to the feeling they mani- 
fest toward others. I am thinkino: that 

21* 



246 Mays of Light 

God's curse would come down on them 
with all its withering power. 

It is dangerous business to address 
the Deity with feelings of hatred or ani- 
mosity in our hearts toward others. The 
rule of prayer, which we have presented 
to us in the prayer of our Savi(fur, is an 
excellent one. It brings all classes on 
to the same level. None can have pre- 
dominance of others in this respect. 
The spirit of it must be felt and ex- 
perienced by all who would seek mercy 
at the hands of a righteous God. None 
can come to him in a self-confidentj self- 
righteous manner and meet his approval 
All must be penitent, broken-heai'ted, 
willing to forgive others, who would 
secure the divine mercy and blessing. 
How strange and inconsistent it looks to 
see two persons in the same meeting^ 
praying to the same God, who do not 
even speah to each other. Can such 
prayers be heard? Never! Brother, 
Sister, you must get right Confess! 
Forsake ! 



JForgiveness. 247 



How strange and inconsistent it looks 
again to see those who have once said^ 
they forgave all, talking about and slan- 
dering the very person they had forgiven. 
Is this the right kind of forgiveness ? 
Does this kind come from the heart or 
only from the lips f Judge for yourself. 
When the Lord forgives He never men- 
tions the sin afterwards. He never 
brings up any of the old past sins to 
throw in the forgiven ones face. Their 
sins and iniquities will I remember no 
uriore. O what rivers of joy and salva- 
tion might flow, if everybody acted on 
this principle ! What streams of love 
and happiness would gladden the path- 
way of many a sorrowful one, if others 
would forgive and forget their follies I 
What power there w^ould be in the 
Church, if there were no hardness, no 
strifes or divisions. Where is the love 
and tenderness of heart that should char- 
acterize the followers of Jesus ? O, that 
the melting power of the Holy Spirit 
may come down to soften hard hearts, 



248 Ray% of Light. 

to subdue stubborn wills, to uproot pre- 
judices, and to produce a forgiving spirit 
in those who profess to be followers of 
Him who from the Cross of Calvary, 
prayed for his enemies saying, ^^ Father, 
forgive them, they know not what they 
do." 



The Great Day. 249 



THE GREAT DAY. 

Eey. yi. 17. 

The great day of his wrath is come, and who shall 
be able to stand. 

The great judgment day. What a 
solemn theme to contemplate ! Do we 
think of it as seriously as we ought ? It 
is certainly coming. Who can tell how 
soon? Suddenly it may burst upon a 
guilty world. It is near, it is near, and 
hasteth greatly. When God's appointed 
hour rolls round, it will come. No hu- 
man power can stay the onward march 
of that tremendous event. Come it will, 
come it must. Whether we are dead or 
alive, prepared, or unprepared, meet it 
we certainly shall. It is the appointed 
time for the judgment of the whole 
world. That day has been long foretold. 
Enoch, the seventh from Adam, proph- 
esied of it. ^' Behold, the Lord cometh 
with ten thousand of his saints, to exe- 



250 Rays of Light. 

cute judgment upon all, and to convince 
all, that are ungodly among them, of all 
their ungodly deeds which they have 
committed^ f.nd of all their hard speeches 
vrhich ungodly sinners have spoken 
against him." Jude 14. 15. He cometh. 
Yes Jesus is the appointed Judge. Once 
he came to this earth as an innocent 
babe. He was poor and despised. The 
barn afforded him a shelter, and the 
manger a cradle. All his life was one 
of poverty and suffering. He was de- 
spised and rejected of men, a man of sor- 
rows and acquainted with grief. His 
life closed amid the shameful bloody 
scenes of Calvary. 

But behold him now, coming in the 
clouds of heaven. See the dazzling splen- 
dor of his regal train. What glory sur- 
rounds him. What power attends him. 
He is the judge of all mankind. What 
a magnificent spectacle. Thousands of 
angels await his command. Compared 
with this all the glory of earth is but 
the faint glimmering of the glowworm 



TTie Great Day. 251 

when compared with the dazzling efful- 
gence of the noonday Snn. See ! Yon- 
der the heavens depart and the great 
white throne appears. See the glory 
flash from him who sits upon it. Who 
is this! It is the babe of Bethlehem, 
coming now as King of kings, and Lord 
of lords. He speaks. The dead hear 
his voice and come forth. From land 
and sea they come. What a scene en- 
sues. Let an inspired penman describe 
it. " And I saw a great white throne 
and him that sat on it, from whose face 
the earth and the heaven fled away ; and 
there was found no place for them. And 
I saw the dead, small and great, stand 
before God, and the books were opened; 
and another book was opened, which is 
the book of life ; and the dead were 
judged out of those things which were 
written in the books, according to their 
works. And the sea gave up the dead 
which were in it ; and death and hell 
(or the grave) delivered up the dead 
which were in them; and they were 



252 Rays of LigJit 

judged every man according to their 
works. And death and hell were cast 
into the lake of fire. This is the second 
death. And whosoever was not found 
written in the book of life was cast into 
the lake of fire." Rev. 20. 11-15. What 
an awful day that will be ! Is it any 
wonder that the wicked would like to 
escape it. A woman once said after a 
minister had been preaching about the 
judgment, ^^ O, you frighten me ; I hope 
I shall be in my grave when that day 
comes." Poor woman ! she thought the 
grave would be a hiding place but she 
was mistaken. Some tell us the wicked 
dead will not rise at all, they too are 
mistaken. The grave will be no hiding 
place. I read from the words of him 
who cannot lie that " the hour is coming 
in the which, all that are in the graves 
shall hear his voice, and come forth. They 
that have done good, unto the resurrec- 
tion of life ; and they that have done evil, 
nnto the resurrection of condemnation." 
John 5. 28, 29. Again Paul says, " there 



The Great Day. 253 

sliall be a resurrection of the dead, both 
of the just and the unjust." Acts 24. 15. 
So it will be. Old earth and ocean will 
be stirred to their very centre, and every 
particle of mortal dust will come forth. 
There will be no hiding from the pres- 
ence of the Judge, no evading his 
searching investigation. All who have 
committed suicide, all who have been 
murdered, all who have been burned to 
death, all who have been devoured by 
wild beasts, all who have been eaten 
by cannibals, all who have been swal- 
lowed by earthquakes, and, in a word, 
all that have ever lived will appear 
at the judgment. All who ever had an 
identity here will have an identity there. 
None can escape. The earth shall cast 
out her dead. In solemn procession 
the countless multitudes of earth shall 
march to the judgment throne to re- 
ceive their final sentence. Solomon saw 
this day, and uttered a warning to the 
young: '^Rejoice, O young man, in thy 
youth; and let thy heart cheer thee 

22 



254 Rays of Light. 

in the days of thy youth, and walk in 
the ways of thine heart, and in the sight 
of thine eyes : but know thou, that for 
all these things God will bring thee into 
judgment." EccL 11. 9. If you will 
sin do it with your eyes open. If you 
will walk in your own way and gratify 
your sinful desires do it in the light 
that flashes from the great white throne. 
" Know thou that God will bring thee 
into judgment." Again. '^ Let us hear 
the conclusion of the whole matter : Fear 
God, and keep his commandments : for 
this is the whole duty of man. For God 
shall bring every work into judgment, 
with every secret thing, whether it be 
good or whether it be evil." EccL 12. 
13, 14. Seeing then that all shall be 
there, what a mighty motive this is to 
repentance. The great question for us 
to settle is, hoio loill it he with usS How 
will it be with 7ne ? How will it be with 
you f Shall we be among the saved •or 
lost ? Some men's sins are open before- 
hand, going before to judgment, and 



Tlie Great Day. 255 

some they follow after. Have we con- 
fessed our sins and had them all forgiven 
through faith in the blood of Christ ? or 
are they still lurking about our con- 
science, causing us to have a fearful 
looking for of judgment, and fiery indig- 
nation which shall devour the adversa- 
ries? Salvation or destruction will be 
our portion. Which ? One or the other 
is inevitable. There is no middle ground. 
We are either the Lord's or we are the 
devil's. No man can serve two masters. 
We are serving one or the other. Even 
now, this very moment we are on one 
side or the other. Whose are we ? Where 
are we going ? If we were to judge from 
appearances we should infer that a great 
many who profess to be following Christ 
were following the other master. Many 
are full of pride and vain glory. Did 
they realize the awful solemnity of that 
grand and rapidly approaching day, 
k would they not humble themselves before 
God? What use then for all those orna- 
ments, gewgaws, and adornings, which 



256 Rays of LigJit. 

are but the outward manifestations of 
inward pride? "What use then for idle 
talkj jesting, joking and evil speaking? 
What use then for thousands of silver 
and gold hoarded up, when it ought to 
have been used in doing good? Can 
money save us ? What use then for a 
form of godliness without the power? 
What use then for anything but pure 
and undefiled religion before Grod the 
Father ? That will be a searching day. 
Who shall be able to stand ? Are we 
ready? Is all on the altar? Do we love 
God with all the heart? Have we any 
hardness against any one on earth? Do 
M^e speak evil of any one ? Are we free 
from condemnation? Has the blood of 
Jesus cleansed us from all sin ? None 
but the pure in heart shall see God. If 
we are the Lord's all is right. We can 
rejoice amid the wreck of matter, and 
the crash of worlds. The Judge will be 
be our best Friend. He is our Elder 
Brother. For us he has purchased the 
crown of glory, and prepared the man- 



TU Great Day. 257 

sions of eternal delight. To those on 
his right hand he will say, " Come ye 
blessed of my Father, inherit the king- 
dom prepared for you from the founda- 
tion of the world." Beyond the dark 
clouds of divine wrath, the perdition of 
the ungodly, and the dissolution of tem- 
poral things, rises to view the bright 
and sunny landscapes of paradise re- 
stored : ^" a new heaven and a new 
earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." 
O reader where will you be in that day? 
Can you bear the thought of being for- 
ever lost ? You may wear a crown of 
glory, and bear a palm of eternal victory. 
Jesus loves you. He died to save you. 
Will you accept him now ? Repent, Pray, 
Believe. O delay no longer. Haste, 
haste. Prepare for eternity. 

22* 



258 Mays of Liglit 



TENDERNESS. 

Eph. iy. 32. 

"^ Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, for- 
giving one another, even as God for Christ's sake, 
hath forgiven you." 

It seems to me that there is no point 
upon which Christians should be more 
guarded than the one which heads this 
article. Each and all should endeavor to 
cultivate a spirit of tenderness and com- 
passion one toward another. I have tra- 
veled quite extensively in several states; 
have attended camp meetings, confer- 
ences, and have preached in the country, in 
villages, in towns and cities ; have visited 
from house to house, and talked and 
prayed with the people ; but as far as 
my observation and experience extend I 
see no point where many professed 
Christians are deficient so much as in 
this. 

There is a lack of that kindness, and 



Tenderness. 259 



tenderness of heart, which the apostle 
here recommends. We have evidently 
come down to that period in the his- 
tory of our world, where we may look 
for the development of those traits of 
character described by the apostle in his 
letter to Timothy. 

Men were to be lovers of their own 
selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blas- 
phemers, disobedient to parents, un- 
thankful, unholy, without natural affec- 
tion, truce breakers, false accusers, in- 
continent, fierce, despisers of those that 
are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, 
lovers of pleasure more than lovers of 
God ; having a form of godliness, but 
denying the power thereof. 

This spirit prevails and increases 
everywhere. It is not only seen in the 
unbelieving world, but it abounds just 
where the inspired writer said it would, 
among those ''having a form of godliness, 
but denying the power thereof Now, 
what is the power of godliness? Is it 
not love ? Does not the church wield 



260 Rays of Light 

the mightiest influence for good when 
its members love one another? Did not 
the Savior say, *' by this shall all the 
world know that ye are my disciples, 
when ye have love one for another?" 
Where shall the religion of Christ be 
exhibited if not among his followers ? It 
would seem that the devil has come 
down with great power, knowing that 
his time is sh ort ; and he is constantly 
engaged in stirring up envy, malice, ha- 
tred, suspicion, jealousies, strife, and evil 
surmisings among the people of God, 

. I know of quite a number of churches 
that have been torn and mangled in a 
shocking manner, just because some of 
their members were willful stubborn, 
and full of hatred. 

Instead of being kind one to 
another tender-hearted, forgiving one 
another, when some little offense has 
arisen, the devil has taken advantage of 
human nature, and stirred up hard feel- 
ings, and created contentions and di- 
visions, until the whole neighborhood 



Tenderness. 261 



is in an uproar ; the lambs are killed, 
Christ dishonored ; the spirit grieved, 
and the way of truth evil spoken of. 

My brethren these things ought not 
so to be. They need not be. There is a 
better way. Let each individual get his 
own heart right, and then walk by the 
law of kindness. O how many families 
and churches might share the hundred 
fold of joy and happiness, if all possessed 
a tender heart, and were willing to 
forgive. How many erring ones might 
be reclaimed and brought into the fold 
of Christ if tender hearts and kind words 
attended their wayward course. Is it 
not time there was a change? Ought we 
not to open our eyes and see what man- 
ner of spirit we are of? Have we been 
disputing and contending about doc- 
trines and prophecies until the good 
spirit has left us ? Have we forgotten 
to pray and live near to Jesus ? Can 
we be followers of the Lamb and not 
have his spirit ? What saith the Apos- 
tle, "Now, if any man have not the 



262 JRays of Light 

Spirit of Christ lie is none of bis." If 
we have the spirit of Jesus, will it make 
us ugly and full of bitterness and strife ? 
No, no, no. The spirit of our master is 
a tender spirit. Whoever drinks at this 
fountain will be a new creature; old 
things will have passed away. A foun- 
tain cannot send forth sweet water 
and bitter at the same time. If the 
spirit is in us, like a well of water 
springing up, our influence will be felt 
for good upon those around us. The 
Christian lives and walks with a well 
of gentleness, goodness and love in his 
heart. His words and actions have in 
them a tenderness and fervency that 
moves upon the hearts of others. Let 
us, then get nearer to the living foun- 
tain. Let us partake more largely of 
the Spirit of Jesus, who was meek and 
lowly in heart. 

What instructions would Paul give if 
he were here ? Listen to him. — 

''Let no corrupt communioation pro- 
ceed out of you^ mouth, but that which 



Tenderness. 263 



is good to the use of edifying, that it 
may minister grace unto the hearers. 
And grieve not the holy spirit of Grod, 
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of 
redemption. Let all bitterness, and 
wrath and anger, and clamour, and evil 
speaking, be put away from you with 
all malice: and be ye kind one to 
another, tender-hearted, forgiving one 
another, even as Grod for Christ's sake 
hath forgiven you." O how great has 
been God's love to us! Who can meas- 
ure it % It is an abyss over which angels 
bow in deep meditation without fathom, 
ing its depths. It is a height to which 
the wing of brightest cherubim never yet 
soared. It is a breadth which human 
imagination never yet embraced. It is 
a boundless ocean. We are nothing but 
sinners, enemies ; yet God so loved us, 
that he gave Jesus to suffer and die that 
we might have eternal life. Our sins 
have been like scarlet, but, for the sake 
of his Son he freely forgives us all. His 
love has followed us all our days. He 



264 Rays of Light 

lias forgiven us ten thousand times. 
His love protects us amid the dangers 
of the wilderness. His love holds up 
before us the crown of unfading joys ; 
and his love will bring the faithful safely 
home to share the raptures and enjoy 
the endless delights of the paradise of 
God. O then, in view" of the compassion, 
love and tenderness of our heavenly 
Father tow;ards us, ought we not to show 
pity and kindness toward one another ? 
There are sorrowful hearts all around us. 
One kind word, or gentle look, will send 
a gleam of sunlight along their gloomy 
way. Let us forgive as we hope to be 
forgiven. Let us seek the wandering 
and the lost, and when the sorrows and 
conflicts of this life are past, we will sing 
with the white-robed band on the banks 
of the river of life. 

''Could we but see what hidden lies, 
Beneath the outward form ; 
Could we but hear the deep-felt sighs, 
Which from the heart are drawn. 



1 enderness, 265 



Or did we see what sorrows hang, 
Like a dark curtain round, 

The heart that late so sweetly sang, 
With such a cheerful sound. 

Or knew we what the motives are, 
Which govern every deed ; 

Or the various things that mar, 
The winding path we lead. 

Or did we know the secret wish, 

The effort to do right, 
And the temptation they resist, 

Unknown to others sight. 

Knew we the whole of every mind, 
And all that dwells within, 

O could we ever be unkind. 
Or cause a soul to sin ? 

But would we not more earnest be, 

To cheer the lonely one, 
And ever striveto do and speak 

That which would trouble none ? " 

23 



266 Rays of LigTit, 



HINTS FOE HEALTH. 

Acts. 27. 34. 

This is for your health. 

In erecting a building the- foundation 
is usually tlie first thing to be considered. 
If this is laid firm, and solid, then the 
framework and covering may be safely 
put on ; but if the foundation is weak, 
or rotten, no matter how beautiful the 
building may appear without, it is un- 
safe, and in constant danger of falling 
down. Health is the foundation on which 
a life of usefulness and happiness must 
be erected. It should receive the first 
attention of every individual. Our world 
is burdened with sick folks. There are 
probably two-thirds more sick people 
than there need to be. Why is it ? There 
are some it is true, who are born with 
weak, sickly constitutions and are never 



Hints for Health. 267 

well from infancy. Such are to be pitied, 
for if there is anything pitiful to look 
at, it is to see individuals going about 
with poor sickly, rickety bodies, not 
able to help themselves nor do anything 
to help anybody else. But the vast ma- 
jority of those who are sick have become 
so I believe through ignorance or inafy 
tention to the laips of health. Man is 
under law, physical as well as moral, and 
the transgression of law must always be 
attended with disastrous consequences. 
No man can sin ao:ainst God or himself 
with impunity. We reap what we sow, 
whether in a moral or physical sense. 
All through the land are thousands suf- 
fering to-day, with lingering, painful dis- 
eases, just because they have violated 
law. Some have done it ignorantly, 
some presumptuously, and after the 
health has once become impaired it is 
hard work to restore it again. It is 
much easier to slide down hill, than it 
is to climb up. A great responsibility 
rests upon parents, or those who have 



268 Rays of Light 

the care and training of children. At 
the cradle is the place to begin. It is 
much easier to impress right thoughts^ 
and inculcate right principles in infant 
minds, than it is to eradicate erroneous 
ones from strong minds in after years. 
Direct the stream right at its source and 
it will run in the right channel. Fasten 
the little crooked sprout to a straight 
stick or post, and it will grow up a 
straight tree; but neglect it, and it wilj 
always be warped, and crooked. Chil- 
dren should be taught right habits in 
regard to health. How do they know 
what is good for them unless some one 
else tells them ? If they are allowed to 
have their own way, to eat, and drink, 
whatever and whenever they have a 
mind to, they will grow up with these 
ideas. There should be system, order, 
regularity in all the domestic arrange- 
ments. In order to this, parents should 
inform themselves in re2:ard to the laws 
of health, that they may be able to im- 
part instruction to their children. We 



Hints for Health. 269 

cannot teach what we do not know our- 
selves, and it is certain we cannot hnow 
much unless we study. We possess an 
intellect, and that intellect should be so 
well informed as to giv^e right directions 
to the habits of the body, and the body 
should be so well governed as to give 
clearness and power to the intellect. 
One in a large degree is dependent on 
the other. A sound mind and a sound 
body go together. But* if we do not 
know how to take care of ourselves, how 
can we give direction to others ? Thou- 
&tods ot doctors' bills are paid that no 
i^ieeft to be paid. Every person can be 
hisjown physician if he will. Doctors' 
djiiigslas a general thing, kill more than 
thfey :cure. Study yourself. Use your 
own ijudgment. The world is full of 
good books, get them, and inform your 
Qwoa litind; If you are sick consult some 
ph|^siciaQ^ who will not poison you to 
d^ath withLdrugs. If you are well have 
ctomom f s^jiBe enough not to get sick 
l4t ijs loeik at a few thoughts. 

23* 



270 Rays of Light 

1st. What do you eat? The stom- 
acli is the regulator of the whole physi- 
cal structure. It is the spring of life and 
action to the entire body. Derange the 
digestive organs and you derange the 
whole system. Some kinds of food are 
healthy, and some are not ; some easy to 
digest, and some indigestible. Is it not 
surprising what abominable messes some 
fond mothers will put into their little 
children's stomach's? They stuff them 
until they are sick, and then dose them 
with doctor's drugs until they die. Some 
grown up people too will eat all kinds 
of trash, at all times a day, and then 
wonder that they '' feel bad at the pit of 
their stomach." Now reason would dic- 
tate that the stomach should not be 
overloaded — nothing should be put into 
it that is indigestible; plain coarse food 
is the best, and nothing hearty should 
be eaten just before retiring at night, 
Some of the healthiest, and hardest work- 
ing people with whom I am acquainted, 
eat only twice a day. One rule might 



Hints for Health. 271 

not work in all cases ; each should study 
for themselves, and be careful what goes 
into their stomachs. This is for your 
health. 

2d. What do you drinki This ques- 
tion is quite as important as what do 
you eat. It is claimed by some of the 
best physicians that hot tea and coffee 
are very injurious to health. What swill 
tubs some people make of their stom- 
achs. Swashj swash, goes the tea and 
coffee, three or four hot cupfuls, three 
or four times a day. Little children sit 
down to the table with a hot cup of tea 
steamiag at their plate. So it goes on 
from year to year. By and by sick head- 
ache comes, dyspepsia comes, nervous- 
ness comes, and a troop of other annoy- 
ing diseases come, 

'' What shall we drink V say you. 
Drink something that is fit to drink. 
What did the Lord make the good pure 
water for ? Why are there ten thousand 
springs oi pure, living water all around 
us ? Why the refreshing showers, the 



gushing: founftaiBs, tha :s|)arfcliBgr/ easi 
x^ades ? To ofive man sometMng^ to drinkj 
Wh^ thea pour sucb a mess ^x^f lliqiiid? 
into your stomach as would make.aid^g 
sic]iafeili0;dra?iife it ? N^othing^Mtheiffcoo 
hot qr too- ^oldj, should; go infeo -the istom^ 
acli X It is better iiot to drink aiitythijag 
ati^aal ,time,:and^pQt :feoo large :qu^rjtiltieg 
$fc ^ny jC^nWtima : I ^Be jt^papt^ate 1:^^ int 
eating la^ dri^k|?^g. hIgCWi mmh epldi 
water should nptjD^ tafeeii ipi^/tfee stoin- 
aehii whiep ^ m ^ . state i olf . perspirati^Usri 
Wisdom; is. prpfi]table to direct. , iGpn-j 
sider thi^rurati^ wjeil. ,M[I^s,m.%'iyi)ui'? 
healtliri ji oH .^TmU\ ihi^Lt ji; ';^iuf:\iM-m 
h|Sd; M^Wr(f6a^(^Q'^ouhathei The bodyi 
should • tee ^kepfc cleap, = j - Thepe^ m^) tbdotj 
aarids^jpi^ little f>oi^:es Qjithe: skiu: of eve^^ 
person, that should /be - kept : opeiib,r 
that the refuse niatter rriay; escape/from 
t Jia .system. Some people go : frorri i ow& 
^§M|# anothei^ and iievfer wash,[ exfeB|ytf 

djc>,fchafe iiJsiitiapy wonder that thejikra^ 
siak i JLfc/As i ^nj^ timeg i said:, rth a^^ i'Velean-^ 



Hints for Health. 273 

liness is next to godliness," and though 
this is not exactly scripture^ yet, it does 
seem to me, that those who have had 
their ^'hearts sprinkled from an evil 
conscience," will also want their "bodies 
w^ashed with pure water" We read 
of " filthy dreamers," and I think the 
apostle must have had reference to that 
class who never wash themselves, for if 
the body is clogged up with filth and 
dirt, it is no strano;e thing: if the mind 
is also beclouded with filthy dreams. 
Come friend, if you are sick go and wash 
in Jordan, or some other stream seven 
times, and you will be quite likely to 
get healed up. Be careful in this mat- 
ter. Do not bathe in a cold room, nor 
in water too cold or too warm. Study 
this subject well. This is for your 
health. 

4th. How early do you rise in the 
morning f I suppose you retire in good 
season. This is a very important con- 
sideration. No man or woman can keep 
good health a great while who are habit- 



274 Hays of Light. 

ually up late niglits. Sleep is nature's 
great restorer. Nothing will break down 
a strong constitution faster than to go 
without sleep. Thousands of young 
men and women are mere wrecks today, 
dying with consumption, just because 
they were out late nights. Think of 
this. One hour's sleep before midnight 
is worth two afterward. In order to be 
out early in the morning it is necessary 
that you retire in good season. Early 
rising conduces to health. Then I hope 
you have your room well- ventilated. 
Some people sleep from year to year on 
a filthy old feather bed, and seldom ever 
open their bedroom windows. It is no 
wonder that they feel like lounging in 
bed in the morning, when their system 
is completely stupefied with bad air. 
The sleeping apartment should be the 
best room in the house. How refresh- 
ing after a good night's rest to rise early 
and inhale the sweet morning breezes. 
It gives one new life, new inspiration^ 
The oldest and healthiest people have 



Hints ;for Hecdfli, 275 

been early risers. Up and out Be 
alive and awake. Search into this mat- 
ter. This is for your health. 

5 th. Hoio "tnucJi do you exercise in the 
open air ? Machinery not used gets rusty. 
Still waters are impure and stagnant. 
Exercise is essential to health. Sit still 
and do nothing and you will soon be 
sick. Run, play, jump, work. Get the 
pure air of heaven. Fill your lungs. 
Bathe in the golden sunbeams that make 
glad the face of nature. Lazy people 
and those who are much in-doors are 
usually peevish and sickly. Those who 
work much out doors are robust, vigor- 
ous and healthy. Boys who live in the 
country are usually flush with healthy 
because they live plain, keep clean, sleep 
soundly, work in the sunshine, and ex- 
ercise freely in the open air. Think of 
this well. The Lord wants us to have 
a sound body as well as a sound mind. 
Control your passions, your temper, and 
your appetite. This is for your health. 



276 Ray 8 of LigJit 



ARE YOU MARRIED f 

Eph. V. 33. 

" Let every one of you, in particular, so love his 
wife even as himself; and the wife see that she 
reverence her husband." 

Marriage is one of the most ancient and 
honorable institutions in the world. It 
was ordained of God in the garden of 
Eden and designed to complete the social 
happiness of man. '' And the Lord said 
it is not good that man should be alone ; 
I will make an help-meet for him. So, 
causing a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, 
the Lord took one of his ribs, and closed 
up the flesh instead thereof; and the 
rib which he took from man, made he a 
woman, and brought her unto the man. 
Then Adam said, This is now bone of 
my bones, and flesh of my flesh ; she 
shall be called woman because she was 
taken out of man. Therefore, shall a 



Are yoit Married, 277 

man leave his father and his mother, 
and shall cleave unto his wife; and they 
shall be one flesh." This institution was 
sanctioned by the Lord Jesus Christ, 
who manifested his power, in the per- 
formance of a noted miracle at a '' mar- 
riage in Cana of Galilee." The apostle 
Paul also declares ^'marriage to be 
honorable in all." It has its foundation 
in true and genuine affection, and no 
parties are j)repared to enter into this 
relation until their hearts are truly 
united. This condition should not be 
entered upon lightly or inconsiderately, 
but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear 
of God. It is one of the most important 
steps in life, for in it may be treasured 
up the happiness or misery of a life-time. 
Those who take upon themselves the 
solemn marriage vov^s should remember 
that they are not only bound by the law 
ol the land, but by the law of God, to 
'' love, honor and cherish each other un- 
til separated by death." What a cove- 
nant to enter into — a covenant for life ! 

24 



278 Bays of Light. 

How important then, that that which 
cannot be done but once, be done right . 
Surely, here the divine blessing and 
guidance should be sought. What spot 
on earth so lovely as the home^ where 
hearts united, seek each others happiness 
and love, and peace shed continual sun- 
shine. Home is a sweet word, and as 
new homes are continually being formed 
how important that those forming them, 
be rightly instructed, that they may ex- 
perience all the happiness anticipated. 
The homes which border nearest on hea- 
ven, are those where true love abides^ 
and the will of God is daily performed. 
It matters not whether it be in a man- 
sion or a cottage. Happiness arises not 
from outward circumstances, but from 
the condition of the heart. Love is the 
basis of all true happiness. 

If marriage then is highly conducive 
to religious and social enjoyment, why 
is it so often a source of evil ? Why 
are there so many unhappy homes ? 
Because it is often contracted in opposi- 



Are you Married. 279 

tion to the will of God. Believei's 
choose unbelieving companions. The 
children of God marry with the children 
of the devil. Christ and Belial are 
brought together. Is it surprising that 
those individuals, who trample on the 
will of Grod in their marriages, lose his 
favor or make bitter work for repent- 
ance until the end of their lives ? 

Consider the following examples 
which will illustrate the difference 
between a right and awrong course. 
"Louise was a beautiful example of 
female piety. Educated, refined, yet 
deeply devoted to her Saviour, she 
adorned her profession with a lustre 
rarely excelled. Her fellow disciples 
loved her tenderly. The poor saw her, 
and were glad for Louise was benevo- 
lent. Seldom has the light of piety 
shone with such brilliancy and purity 
as it did in the life and actions of this 
meek, excellent young lady. Never did 
young Christian give brighter promise 
of being faithful unto death. Louise 



280 Rays of Light 

was addressed by a young man of ex- 
cellent moral character, but without 
piety. A better and more suitable com- 
panion in every other respect could not 
be desired. He was a counterpart to 
the amiable youth of whom Jesus said — 
^^ One thing thou lackestr He sought 
Louise's hand in marriage. The faith of 
Louise was sorely tried by this proposal. 
To reject it was to refuse a most advan- 
tageous offer. Beside this she felt a 
strong attachment toward him. Both in- 
terest and affection pleaded, ^'What shall 
I do ? " He is friendly to religion. He is 
aJl that could be desired in a bosom com- 
panion, only he is not a Christian. Thus 
thought Louise. Still in her better judg- 
ment, she felt convinced that his being 
unrenewed ought to be an insuperable 
barrier to their union. But inclination 
triumphed, Louise stood at the altar, and 
plighted the irrevocable vow. Was she 
happy ? Alas ! already had she been con- 
scious of spiritual declension. Her inter- 
course, with her affianced husband, prior 



Are you Married. 281 

to her marriage, had damped the fervor 
of her zeal. The silent convictions of the 
conscience that she vi^as wrong had weak- 
ened her confidence in God. The wed- 
ding day cast a further gloom over her 
spirit. Its festivities were unsanctified 
by prayer. The bridegroom's spirit — 
the spirit of the world — reigned lord 
of the ascendent. They took possession 
of their new home, but no family altar 
was erected there — no secret place was 
consecrated to closet devotion. The 
bride and the bridegroom were there, 
but Christ the bride's master w^as ex- 
cluded; or was there only as a secluded 
guest. At first the husband of Louise 
attended the house of God with punctu- 
ality; he showed no opposition to the 
great subject of religion. His wife, ven- 
tured one day to plead the cause of 
Christ with him. Then the carnal mind 
was aroused. He spoke warmly. Hence- 
forth the topic of personal piety is to be 
interdicted. He would not listen to the 
name of Louise's master. Very soon he 

24* 



282 Rays of Liglit. 

grew weary of going to the house of God. 
If his wife mentioned to go and leave 
him at home, he charged her with nn- 
kindness, and even threatened to seek 
amusement from home. Fearful of the 
results Louise abandoned her seat at 
Church. The next step of the uncon- 
verted husband was to urge his wife to 
visit social parties, concerts, and other 
places of amusement. At first she re 
sisted, but by degrees yielded. The 
church was obliged to cut her off as an 
unworthy member, and none, who now 
know the gay and fashionable wife 
would suspect that she was once the 
meek, zealous, and devoted lover of 
Jesus. 

Lucy, who belonged to the same 
church, was not so brilliant a light in 
the first months of her Christian profes- 
sion as Louise ; but she was truly de- 
voted. Her character was developed by 
degrees. Every week brought to light 
excellences unobserved before. Her 
piety, as the light of the Gospel shone 



A7'6 you Married. 283 

more clearly upon her yielding and sub- 
missive heart. Lucy had a suitor of simi- 
lar attractions and claims to him who 
became the husband of Louise. A slight 
intimacy had existed between them prior 
to her conversion. When she gave up 
her sins she also gave up her suitor. 
With a firmness ^vorthy of imitation, 
she said to him — ^'I am now a follower 
of Christ. You walk in an opposite 
path. We cannot be happy together. 
When you become a Christian, if de- 
sirable, our intercourse can be renewed.'" 
The young man, however, showed no 
inclination for Christian duties. He 
plunged deeply into the pleasures of 
sin, married a gay woman and died un- 
converted. The thoughtless and triflincj 
blamed Lucy for losing so fine an oppor- 
tunity for a comfortable settlement in 
life; some of her fellow-disciples, too, 
joined in their sentence of condemnation ; 
but Lucy felt the satisfaction of one who 
makes a sacrifice for Christ's sake. She 
had her reward. A man of acknowl- 



284 Rays of Light 



edged piety saw her worth and mar- 
ried her. Happiness and piety 
crowned their Tinion. They walked 
together in unity of spirit, mutual 
helpers in the way to Mount Zion. 
Louise and Lucy are examples of 
two classes, many of whom I have seen 
during my ministry ; They represent not 
merely two individuals, but two very 
large classes ; the first of which, it is to 
be regretted, is constantly increasing in 
the church of Christ. With their his- 
tory before him to which class will the 
young convert decide to belong ? Ad- 
mitting the certainty of similar conse- 
quences in almost every case, will you 
dear reader choose the destiny of 
Louise ? Will you, for the sake of a 
husband or wife, deliberately forsake 
your iSaviour? Better far to remain 
unmarried through life than to marry an 
impenitent sinner, who will lead you 
from the cross of Christ, and then after 
embittering your domestic life take you 
with him to everlasting perditian. Look 



1 



Are you Married. 285 

seriouslyj young Cliristian at this ques- 
tion. Strip it of that romantic aspect, 
with which the young mind delights to 
cover it. The utterance of that irrevoc- 
able vow is the most mighty act in life. 
It forges a bond which no hand but 
Death's can break. Think seriously ? 
Will you bind your destiny to that of 
an impenitent sinner ? You^ a follower of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, wed one, who is 
following Satan ! Is it possible ? How 
can you expect to gain the kingdom in 
such company? Is eternal life so lightly 
valued, that you are willing to risk its 
enjoyment for the sake of the companion- 
ship of an ungodly person ? Do you 
love Christ so little, that you are pre- 
pared to prefer the love of a dying fel- 
low creature to His friendship ? O dread- 
ful preference ! Shameful dishonor done 
to the Lord of glory ! Can you dare to 
hope that if you became thus guilty He 
will acknowledge you when He comes in 
His glory with all the holy angels ? 
Two mariners are in the same port. 



86 Rays of Light, 

Both of them are in command of a noble 
ship. They are both about to sail on a 
long and distant voyage. 

From the port there are two channels 
leading to the ocean. One is deep^ 
wide, pleasant and safe. Earely has a 
ship experienced any difficulty in sail- 
ing there. The other passage is narrow, 
shallow, abounding in rocks and sand 
bars. It is so dangerous that scarcely a 
vessel has ever passed it in safety. It 
is marked with wrecks, along its entire 
length. One of these mariners wisely 
chooses the safe channel, and his ship, 
with her white sails filled with a favoring 
breeze, gaily floats out to sea in safety. 
The other, in opposition to the warning 
voice of his friends, in defiance of the al- 
most impassable barriers, attempts the 
shallow passage. He is soon embarrassed 
by its irregularities. He has to tack 
from side to side, makes slow progress ; 
every moment his difficulties increase. 
He attempts to return, but the channel 
is too narrow to permit this. Soon he 



Are you Married. 287 

runs upon a shoal. Night comes on 
the winds rise ; the sea roars; the waves 
grow tumultuous. In vain he utters 
useless regrets, and groans forth his 
foolish sorrows. The angry elements 
heed not his cries. They know no pity. 
When the sun rises the mariner is no 
more ! His noble ship has gone to 
pieces upon the rocks. All is lost 
through the folly that would not be 
warned by the voice of experience. Such 
is the folly of that young Christian, who 
willfully disregarding the voices of the 
past, and the living facts within his own 
sphere of observation, rushes to the 
hymeneal altar with a Christless bride 
or bridegroom. 

But what says the Bible in regard to 
this matter? To this we munt submit, 
or totally abandon all hopes of eternal 
life. " Can Uvo walk together except they 
he agreed T'' This is the Lord's ques- 
tion. It commends itself to our common 
sense, even in the case of ordinary com 
panionship. Agreement in spirit and 



288 ' Bays of LigU. 

character is necessary to a common friend- 
ship. How much more in the strict in- 
timacy of the marriage bond? How can 
the carnal mind and the mind of Christ 
mingle ? Sucli opposite principles brought 
into fellowship can but produce perpet- 
ual differences. Do you choose a mar- 
riage with such an inevitable issue ? Or 
do you intend to sell your religious prin- 
ciples for the poor compensation of a 
God accursed union ? To the Jewish 
church God said : " Neither sJialt tliou 
make marriages with themP This pro- 
hibition, you see, is peremptory. True, 
it related to intermarriage with heathen 
families. But where is the difference 
between the sinner of the Christian com- 
munity, and the heathen in the Jewish 
neighborhood ? In respect to knowledge 
the difference is great. But wherein do 
their hearts differ? God assigned a par- 
ticular reason, aside from the personal 
influence of such marriages, for their ab- 
solute prohibition. He said, " They^ 
(the heathen) shall turn away thy son 



Are you Married. 289 

from following ineP Is not this reason 
applicable to xlie Christian and the sin- 
ner? When in the providence of God, 
the parties to such tinscriptural unions 
become parents, how sad their influence 
upon their offspring ! What avails it if 
the religious parent teach the children 
to pray, to read the holy Bible, to walk 
in the way of life? Will not the example 
of the unconverted parent lead them to 
reply as did a boy who, when his mother 
rebuked him for swearing, said, ^^ My 
father swears^ What bitter regret, what 
unavailing sorrow must such a shock- 
ing exhibition of parental influence have 
excited in the foolish woman, who had 
married such a sinner ! Would you avoid 
such an experience ? Would you escape 
the misery of an ungodly family ? Then, ' 
marry not with an unconverted man or 
woman. Be fixed on this point. Live 
and die unmarried, or marry only a fel- 
low laborer in Christ. 

The language of the New Testament 
is equally positive and unequivocal. '^ Be 

25 



290 Rays of LigJit. 

not unequally yohdd together ivitJi unbe- 
lieverSj'* wrote Paul to the Corinthiari 
Church, Of a widow, also, after show- 
ing her right to a second marriage, he 
said : '^ She is at liberty to be married to 
^vhom she will^ only in the LordP She 
had no right as a Christian woman to 
marry out of Christ. No ! as a believer, 
she could have no part with Belial. She 
must marry only in the Lord. Is not 
this authoritative ? Do not these texts 
absolutely forbid the intermarriage of 
believers with unbelievers ? To me, it 
seems, that lang-uage could not make the 
prohibition more clear. And that dis- 
ciple, who in its face proceeds to the 
formation of such a marriage, is guilty 
of willful sin. Once more, then, I im- 
plore you dear young convert, to set 
your heart against the idea of marrying 
a Christless person. You may have an 
opportunity to secure wealth and social 
consideration by such a marriage. Spurn 
such an idea. True affection must form 
the basis of a genuine marriage. Or you 



Are you Married. 291 

may be lured by tlie hope of converting 
your partner to Christ. The hope is 
only a fond delusion. You will rather 
be drawn from Christ. B e not deceived. 
Such conversions rarely occur. Scripture 
experience, and common sense combine 
to show that marriages of believers with 
unbelievers, are fatal to the piety of the 
former, and by no means beneficial to 
the latter." Beware of those who have a 
mere form of godliness. True piety con - 
sists in something more than a union 
with a visible church, and a participa- 
tion in religious ceremonies. It consists 
in a thorough change of heart, and a 
strict conformity of life to the require- 
ments of the gospel. Be not hasty. 
Seek the will of God, and the compan- 
ionship of the holy. Time is too short, 
and life too precious to be thrown away. 
^' Whether, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or 
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of 
God." 



292 Bays of Liglit. 



COMFORT IN AFFLICTION. 

Isaiah xliii. 2. 

*' When thou passest through the waters, I will 
be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not 
overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, 
thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame 
kindle upon thee." 

How comforting are these words ! They 
fall like sweet music on the ear. They 
lift the heart from the depths of its sad- 
ness, and shed a gleam of sunlight into 
the dark chambers of the afflicted mind. 
The Lord is good. He will not leave 
his children to pass through the deep 
waters of trouble unprotected and un- 
supported. The flame shall not kindle 
upon thee ; neither shall the floods over^ 
flow thee. Through all the history of 
the past his goodness has been mani- 
fested toward his people. His provi- 
dence has ever guarded and sus- 
tained them ; His bounty has ever supplied 



Comfort in Affliction. 293 

all their wants; His grace has ever been 
sufficient to save tliem from the povrer 
and effects of sin ; His mercy has ever 
been imparted to forgive their transgres- 
sions ; and His consolations have ever 
abounded to comfort them in all their 
tribulations. However dark and peril- 
ous the condition of his people, liis grace 
has ever been sufficient for them. It is 
so today, Not one drop of sorrow more 
than is necessary will be dealt out to 
His saints, -No believer can calculate 
upon exemption from affliction. Rela- 
tionship to God, holiness of heart, eleva- 
tion of the mind above carnality, will 
not exempt christiaas from trials ; these 
are necessary to promote spirituality. 
The most of general rules have excep- 
tions, but this is ever an exception to all 
general rules, for it is a general rule 
without an exception. The Psalmist 
said, '' many are the afflictions of the 
righteous," and the experience of all 
saints confirms the truthfulness of his 
statement. It is throug:h much tribula- 

25* 



294 Mays of Liglit 

tion that we must enter the kingdom of 
God. He who led his people of old 
through the dark and dangerous path- 
ways of the wilderness, that they might 
come to the borders of the ^'goodly 
land," is still leading those who trust 
him, through all the perils of their chris- 
tian pilgrimage, that they may come to 
the better country, where all tears shall 
be wiped away. Just beyond the wilder- 
ness and the swelling waves of Jordan, 
there lie the sunlit hills, and the ever 
verdant plains of Paradise. Our trials 
here, will only make our rest sweeter 
there. 

" The path of sorrow, and that path alone, 
Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown. 
ISTo traveler e'er reached that blest abode, 
W^ho found not briers and thorns in his road. 
The world may dance along the flower plain, 
Cheered as they go by many a sprightly strain. 
Where nature has her mossy velvet spread, 
With unshod feet they yet securely tread : 
But he who knew what human liearts would prove, 
How slow to learn the dictates of his love; 
That, hard by nature, and of stubborn will, 
A life of ease would make them harder still; 
In pity to the sinners he designed 



Comfort in Affliction. 295 

To rescue from the ruins of mankind, 
Called for a cloud to darken all their years, 
And said, *Gr0, spend them in the vale of tears.' " 

Yes, afflictions come from a Father's 
hand, and He knows what is good for us. 
We are so prone to sin, and to wander 
from the pathway of righteousness, that 
He sees it necessary to lead us through 
the dark waters of sorrow, or the fiery 
trials of disappointment, in order to 
wean us from earth, and induce us to 
aspire after heaven. " Whom the Lord 
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every 
son whom he receiveth. Now, no chast- 
ening for the present seemeth to be 
joyous, but grievous ; nevertheless, after- 
ward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of 
righteousness unto them which are exer- 
cised thereby. Wherefore lift up the 
hands which hang down, and the feeble 
knee:^3 ; and make straight paths for 
your feet, lest that which is lame be 
turned out of the way ; but let it rather 
be healed." O child of affliction, do the 
hands of your faith hang down^ and do 



296 Bays of Light. 

the knees of your hope tremble ? Are 
you almost ready to faint by the way ? 
Are the waters deep, and do the fires 
burn fiercely? Have loved ones been 
torn from your embrace, and do you 
weep as you recall the past ? Have the 
floods and flames devoured all your 
worldly possessions ? Do friends perse- 
cute you, and has the tongue of slander 
tarnished your reputation ? Has disease 
shattered your mortal frame, and do 
you see months of vanity, and are wea- 
risome nights appointed unto you? Is 
the past dark, and is the future cheer- 
less ? Do the floods and flames still roll 
around you with unabated fury ? O de- 
spair not, there is comfort for thee. Hear 
the voice of your heavenly Father. ^'Fear 
not : when thou passest through the 
waters, I will be with thee ; and[ through 
the rivers they shall not overflow thee; 
when thou walkest through the fire, thou 
shalt not be burned; neither shall the 
flame kindle upon thee." Hear the voice 
of your lo\ing Saviour. " These things 



Comfort in A-ffliction. 297 

I have spoken unto you, that in me ye 
might have peace. In the world ye shall 
have tribulation : but be of good cheer ; 
I have overcome the world" ? Cheer up 
then, dear afflicted saint there is hope 
for thee. There is One who cares for 
thee, and who will stand by thee in all 
thy afflictions. Only trust Him, and you 
shall come forth as gold tried in the fire. 
Even now you may be able to exclaim 
with the Apostle, " We glory in tribu- 
lations also: knowing that tribulation 
worketh patience; and patience, expe- 
rience; and experience, hope; and hope 
maketh not ashamed ; because the love 
of God is shed abroad in our hearts by 
the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." 
Even now you may ^' think it not strange 
concerning the fiery trial which is to try 
you, as though some strange thing had 
happened unto you: but rejoice, inas- 
much as ye are partakers of Christ's 
sufferings; that when His glory shall be 
revealed, ye may be glad also with ex- 
ceeding joy." 



298 Rays of Light, 

It is true that Satan and wicked men 
may have a sinful hand in many of the 
afflictions of the righteous ; but the Lord 
has a superintending, overruling and 
gracious hand. Without his permissive 
hand, they would never take place ; with- 
out his restraining hand, they would be 
overwhelming; without his supporting 
hand, they would be intolerable; and 
without his sanctifying hand, they would 
never be blessed. Sweet is the assurance 
that '' all things work together for good 
to them that love God." The wheat is 
not ripened by sunshine alone; it must 
go through with its months of wind, and 
rain, and storm. The precious seed re- 
quires the fan to blow away the chaff. 
The gold requires the furnace to purge 
away the dross. The winds of winter 
show which of the trees are evergreen 
and which are not. Trials and afflic- 
tions are useful in the same way. God 
tests his people. Fire and water are 
purifying elements. " It is good for me 
that I have been afflicted, for before I 



Gomfort in Affiiction. 299 

was afflicted, I went astray." So said 
David, and may not many others say the 
same. 

''How happy it is for me that the 
world often gives me the slip, that I may 
forsake the world and look out more for 
the better country ; that men often prove 
false to me, that I may rely on the God 
of truth ; that wants beset me on every 
side, that I by faith may set myself down 
by the gate of heaven, and, in the prom- 
ise, and in his fullness, find a rich supply; 
that death now and then cuts off a 
relative, that I may more and more re- 
member my own end, the immortal 
world, and Him who is the resurrection 
and the life. Afflictions render the crea- 
ture tasteless, the world barren, and dis- 
pels the intoxicating juice of carnal 
pleasures and sensual delights. It breaks 
the sleep of security, and awakens and 
rouses to duty. Even the saints them- 
selves are more frequent in their devo- 
tions under the rod of affliction; and 
many in trouble visit the throne of 



300 Hays of Liglit 

grace — dear throne ! to which all have 
access—and pour out a prayer, when his 
chastening hand is upon them, who be- 
fore were utter strangers both to the 
place and the employment." 

Blessed affliction ! How much it has 
accomplished for human beings. But it 
will soon be forever ended. Weeping 
endureth for a night, but joy cometh in 
the morning. Only a little while and 
the shadows of Time will be merged in 
the splendors of Eternity. 



No Night There. 301 



NO NIGHT. 
Eey. xxt. 25. 

•' There shall be no night there." 

' Xo night of sorrow shall be there, 

All griefs, all sighs are o'er 
No bleeding heart, no tear dimmed eyes, 

On that celestial shore ; 
God, with his gentle hand of love, 

Shall wipe all tears away, 
And in his presence we shall joy, 

Secure in cloudless day. 

No night of sin can enter there, 

Like Jesus we shall be, 
For we shall see him as he is. 

And holy be as he; 
No wandering thoughts, no anxious cares 

Shall agitate our breast, 
No sin shall mar our services 

In yonder land of rest. 

No night of ignorance is there. 

We'll know as we are known. 
And through a blest eternity, 

Rejoice before the throne ; 
No clouds shall e'er o'ershadow us ; 

Faith shall be changed to sight, 
All gloomy doubts and fears dispelled, 

In that fair land of light. 

26 



302 Rays of Light 

Ko night of suffering is there, 

No weariness, no pain, 
The ransomed in that better land 

Shall ne'er be sick again; 
No aching head , no fevered brow 

Shall weigh our bodies down, 
For in Immanuel's happy land, 

All sickness is unknown. 

No night of parting shall be there. 

Our loved are gone before, 
We '11 meet them in that better land, 

And meet to part no more; 
To be forever with the Lord, 

Our griefs, our trials o'er, 
No tearful eye, no sad farewell 

On yonder radiant shore. 

No night of death can enter there 

To close our peaceful rest, 
No tender ties are severed 

In the mansions of the blest; 
Once in our happy longed for home 5 

We are safe for evermore. 
For ah ! no night can enter 

On that celestial shore." 



Salvation. 303 



SALVATION. 

2 Tim. ii. 10. 

" The salvation which is in Christ Jesus with 
eternal glory." 

Salvation ! how much that word im- 
plies. It has two aspects, when used in 
the sense of which I am about to speak — 
present and future. I believe that the 
saints of God know something of a pre- 
sent salvation. They are saved from 
sin. They are justified by faith and 
have peace with God, through our Lord 
Jesut Christ. Sin does not reign in 
them nor rule over them. They have 
found a way of deliverance from it. 
They hnoio that Jesus has saved them, 
and doe^s keep them from sin, becau: e 
they trust in Him. For a person to say 
that he is a Christian, and at the same 
time to say that he is a sinner, seems to 
me to be a contradiction of terms. 



304 Rays of Light 

What ! a Christian and a sinner at the 
same time ? How can this be ? K fol- 
lower of Christ, and living in violation 
of his will ? Is it possible ? No, it can- 
not be so. If you are a Christian then 
you delight to keep Christ's command- 
ments. It is not boasting to say that we 
are saved noio — that we have passed 
from death unto life — that we liave 
the witness of the spirit. It is giving 
honor to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has 
accomplished the work for us. He is a 
perfect Saviour. He does not forgive a 
part of our sins when we come to him 
for pardon. He forgives all. He cleanses 
us from every secret fault, removes 
every stain and trace of guilt, and makes 
us new creatures. It is impossible to be 
partly saved, and partly lost, at the same 
time. There is no middle ground. We 
are either saints or sinners. We cannot 
serve two masters. We are one thing 
or the other. Christ does his work 
thoroughly. He is no half way Saviour. 



Salvation. 805 



He saves his people /rom their sins not 
in them. 

When He was on earth, He manifested 
this power. One came to him who had 
been a notorious sinner. She believed 
he was the Son of God, and she loved 
him, but she felt so sinful and unworthy 
that she hardly dared to look him in the 
face. So, bowing in his presence, she 
wept, and with her flowing locks and 
falling tears she washed his feet. Did 
Jesus speak harshly or bid her go away ? 
No. Did he accuse her of the wrong 
she had done ? No. Did he despise 
her because she^was despised by others? 
No. He could read penitence in those 
tears. He knew how deeply sorry she 
felt for all her sins, and his great loving 
heart was moved with compassion. 
He came to seek and to save the lost, 
and here was a lost sinner bowed in 
penitence at his feet. Could he turn 
her away ? Never, How kindly he ad- 
dressed her--^^ Woman, thy sins are for- 
given, thy faith hath saved thee ; go in 

26* 



306 Ray 8 of Light. 

peace." O, how sweetly these words 
fell upon the heart of that sinner! 
What joy lit up her countenance ! What 
peace she experienced. She was still a 
woman. Jesus, the son of the highest, 
listened to her^ noticed liei^ poor and 
wretched as she felt, and addressed her 
as a woman ! Yes, " woman thy sms 
are forgiven, thy faith hath saved thee ; 
go in peace." Was she saved ? Who 
dares say she was not ? The work was 
done with just one word from Jesus. 
She was saved, gloriously saved. All 
her sins were forgiven and she became a 
meek follower of Jesus. ^ " O " say you, 
^' this was a great while ago, and the 
Saviour was here on earth." Yes, but 
has he any less power to day. Is he less 
merciful now? Did he not die on the 
cross for his enemies f Was he not 
raised again for our justification? Did 
he not ascend to heaven to give repent- 
ance and remission of sins to all that 
would call upon him ? Was he not ex- 
alted as a prince and a saviour ? Is not 



Salvation. 307 



his blood still efficacious to cleans^ from 
the foulest sins \ Have not thousands 
been washed in the all-cleansing foun- 
tain ? Is not the invitation still pub- 
lished, " Whosoever vrill let him come V 
O doubt no longer. Only believe and 
you shall be saved. Come^ just as you 
are. Jesus loves you. He is looking at 
you with pity just now. He never yet 
turned one away who sought him with a 
penitent heart. If you have started and 
fallen a hundred times never give up. 
Try again. He is able to save to the ut- 
termost, all who come to him. His blood 
cleanseth from all sin. Great sins and 
little sins, private sins and public sins, 
occasional sins and besetting sios, all sin, 
yes, his blood '^ cleanseth from all sin." 
Now ? Yes, now, this very moment, if 
you will let him. He can save you from 
sin, and he can Tc^eep you from winning ? 
Do yon believe it ? 

^' There is therefore noto no condem- 
nation to them which are in Christ Jesus, 
who walk not after the flesh, but after 



308 JRayB of Light. 

the Spirit." O follow the leadings of 
the Spirit. Yield not to the lusts of the 
flesh. Confess and forsake your sins, 
and you shall know the joys of God's 
salvation. 

There is a deep and rich experience 
for every one who will truly follow 
Jesus in this life. Multitudes of pro- 
fessors know nothing of present salva- 
tion — of freedom from sin, — of the cleans- 
ing, comforting, and strengthening power 
of the Holy Spirit — of the peace that 
passeth understanding — of the joy un- 
speakable and full of glory. They know 
not what it is to count all things as loss 
for Christ, to glory in tribulations, and 
to go without the camp, bearing reproach 
for Christ's sake. They think that, if 
they can have Christ and plenty of 
money, Christ and plenty of good clothes, 
Christ and plenty of friends, Christ and 
a good name, Christ and worldly plea- 
sures, Christ and popularity, it is all 
very nice. But Christ and poverty, 
Christ and poor clothes, Christ and per- 



Salvation. 309 



secution, Christ and affliction, Christ and 
few friends, Christ and no worldly plea- 
sures, Christ and self-denial, is some- 
thing that they do not care much about. 
It is only those, however, who have given 
all for Christ, that know what it is to 
have Christ in them the hope of glory. 
We believe there are some who have 
made the full consecration, and who 
know what present salvation means. 
Christ was made perfect through suffer- 
ings, that he might become the author 
of present and eternal salvation to all 
them who ohey him. Can we expect 
to share in the benefits of his death, 
or resurrection, or intercession, or glori- 
ous reign, while we live in disobedi- 
ence ? Is it any wonder that there are 
so many who are destitute of spirit- 
ual life and power, when they are liv- 
ing; in disobedience to God's commands? 
Salvation is in Christ, not out of him. 
We can only be partakers of it as we 
abide in him. He is the author of 
it. He purchased it. He gives it. We 



310 Rays of Light. 



can abide in Mm by faith and ohe- 
dience. ^'If ye abide in me, and my 
words abide in yon, ye shall ask wliat 
ye will, and it shall be done nnto you." 
Here is the secret of present salvation. 
It is to abide in Christ. Not in him by 
profession merely, but in him by a liv- 
ing, vital faith. Ask what ye will and 
it shall be done nnto you. Are you 
saved? Search closely. Salvation in 
this world is to be succeeded with eter- 
nal glory in the world to come. Having 
been saved from sin through faith in the 
Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved 
eternally when he comes the " second 
time without sin unto salvation." Then 
we shall know what future salvation 
means. The grave must give up its 
dust. He, who rose triumphant from 
the tomb, and ascended on high with 
the keys of death, is coming again to 
unlock every grave and bring his peo- 
ple home. From yonder lovely resting 
place our loved ones will* come. How 
joyful it will be to meet them once more ! 



Sal/oation. 311 

We have often wept, and our pathway 
has seemed lonely since they left us, but 
O we shall greet them again ! Mother, 
you will clasp that little one in your 
arms again, and know that it is your own 
sweet babe that you lost so long ago. 
There, husbands and wives, parents and 
children, brothers and sisters will meet 
and never part again. All tears will be 
wiped away, and the glory of that re- 
union will be so great, that we shall for- 
get the sorrows of our earthly pilgrim- 
age. There we shall have glorious 
bodies, glorious associations, a glorious 
home, glorious crowns, glorious robes, 
and sing glorious songs. Even now, in 
anticipation of that glory, we can say 
with Paul, '' Our light affliction which 
is but for a moment, worketh for us a 
far more exceeding; and eternal wei2:ht 
of glory. While we look not at the 
things which are seen, but at the thino;s 
which are not seen. For the things 
which are seen are temporal, but the 
things which are not seen are eternal." 



312 Rays of Light. 

We liave hope of eternal life. If we 
die, we shall live again. If we live till 
our Lord comes we shall be changed, in 
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. 
This mortal will put on immortality, 
this corruptible incorruption. Salvation, 
in its completeness, will bring back the 
-earth to more than its primeval loveli- 
ness, and fill it with the glory of God. 
Its desert places shall blossom as the 
rose, and its wilderness regions be turned 
into gardens of delight. Instead of the 
thorn shall come up the fir tree, and 
instead of the brier shall come up the 
myrtle tree, and it shall be to the Lord 
for a name, for an everlasting sign that 
shall not be cut off. No sin, sorrow, or 
death there, but purity, joy, and eternal 
blessedness. Then the ransomed of the 
Lord shall return, and come to Zion with 
songs, and everlasting joy upon their 
heads, they shall obtain joy and glad- 
ness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee 
away. Will you go to that beautiful 
land? Will you be saved with an ever- 



Salvation. 313 



lasting salvation ? Jesus is the way. He 
can save you from sin noiv^ and save 
you from death hereafter. Will you let 
Him save you ? 

'' Sinner go, will you go 
To the highlands of Eden, 
Where the storms never blow 
And the long Summer's given. 
Where the bright blooming flowers 
Are their odors emitting, 
And the leaves of the bowers 
In the breezes are flitting . 

Where the saints robed in white 
Cleansed in life's flowing fountain, 
Shining beauteous and bright, 
They inhabit the mountain. 
Where no sin nor dismay, 
!N'either trouble nor sorrow, 
Will be felt for to day, 
Nor be feared for to-morrow. 

He's prepared thee a home, 
Sinner, can'st thou believe it, 
And invites thee to come — 
Sinner come and receive it. 
O haste sinner, haste, 
For the tide is receding, 
And the Saviour will soon, 
And forever, cease pleading." 

27 



314 Rays of Light. 



THE WAY TO BE HAPPY. 

John xiii. 17. 

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do 
them. 

The first step in tlie road to happiness 
is to get a dean conscience. Make things 
all right with the Lord. 

Multitudes to-day are seeking happi- 
ness, but they are seeking it in the 
wrong way. They never will find it 
until their hearts are right with God. 
They have sinned and tliey know it, and 
Grod knows it, and however much they 
may try to appear happy they are not 
really happy. There is trouble within. 
Holiness comes first, then happiness. 
The wisdom that is from above is first 
purey then peaceable. This is God's or- 
der. He will not bless us in our sins, 
but he calls upon us to repent and pray, 



The ID ay to he Happy. 315 

to confess and forsake our sins, and then 
we shall obtain n\ercy. 

If we regard iniquity in our hearts 
we had might as well whistle as to pray, 
for God will not hear us ; but when we 
come to Him in sincerity, then He will 
listen to our cry and bestow upon us the 
blessing we need. As long as we carry 
about within us a guilty conscience, it is 
impossible to be happy. There may be 
transient flights of joy, as is sometimes 
seen among the gay pleasure lovers, but 
within there is sorrow and unrest. Guilt 
in the heart spoils the happiness of life. 
It is like a worm in a tree, constantly 
eating at the very core of its life, and 
causing the beauty of its foliage to wither, 
fade, and die. 

Would you be happy, get rid of the 
poison of sin. Flee to the open fountain 
of a Saviour's blood. Pray God, for the 
sake of His Son, to cleanse you from all 
sin,and give you a pure heart. "When 
this is done a sweet and heavenly peace 
will fill your soul. No longer tossed 



316 Hays of Light 

and distressed like the ocean in a storm, 
but calm and peaceful as the waveless 
current of a steady flowing stream. No 
longer wild and furious as a madman 
bound with chains, but gentle and tran- 
quil as an infant sleeping on its mother's 
bosom. The best way to get through 
this world is to be constantly taking 
everything to God in prayer. Are you 
troubled and perplexed ? Do a multi- 
tude of cares press upon you ? Cast your 
burdens on the Lord. He careth for 
you. Let your faith cling to the prom- 
ise, '^ I will never leave thee nor forsake 
tkee " We should be like the old col- 
ored woman, who, when persecuted, only 
replied, " I must tell the Lord." Ah ! 
this is the secrect of a happy life. Tell 
the Lord. Pray. Believe. 

'• O what peace we often forfeit, 
Oh what needless pain we bear, 
All because we do not carry 
Everything to God in prayer. 
Can we find a friend so faithful, 
Who will all our sorrows share? 
Jesus knows our every weakness, 
Take it to the Lord in prayer." 



The way to he Happy. 317 

Try this way and see if you do not 
find happiness such as you never ex- 
perienced before. Take the Bible and 
learn what is required of you, and then 
ask Jesus to help you keep his command- 
mentSc ^^ If ye know these things^ tiappy 
are ye if ye do them." Try it and see if 
heavenly light does not break into your 
mind. Happiness will light up your 
countenance, as sunlight gild's the moun- 
tain tops when the darkness has disap- 
peared. Another way to promote hap- 
piness is to Sing, Singing is one of 
God's best and choicest gifts. How 
dark this world would be if there were 
no swee* voices to sing. All nature 
sings. Even now as I write the birds 
are chirping and singing around the old 
farm house door. How happy they 
seem to be. I thank God for the beau- 
tiful birds, they teach us how to be 
happy. 

How can a Christian lounge in bed 
until the sun is three or four hours high, 
when the sweet little birds are picking 

27* 



318 Hays of Light 

out their notes bv the first streaks of 
the morning light. Away with this lazy, 
gloomy long faced religion. Up and out 
ere the sun shines in at thy window, 
and the birds cease their morning song. 
God's religion makes us happy. He 
puts the sing into our hearts and bids 
us go on our way rejoicing. Are you 
cast down and discouraged ? Do dark 
shadows hang over your pathway ? Sing. 
Wake up the mirthfulness of your na- 
ture. Be cheerful. Singing praises to 
God will drive away the devil, and fill 
your heart with joy unspeakable. How 
happy David was. Hear him. " Be 
glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye right- 
eous; and shout for joy all ye that are 
upright in heart. Kejoice in the Lord, 
O ye righteous ; for praise is comely for 
the upright. Sing aloud unto God our 
strength ; make a joyful noise unto the 
God of Jacob.'' '^ O" says one, ^'I am 
no singer, I cannot carry a tune. How 
happy I should be if I could sing." Well 
if you cannot sing, ''make a joyful noise 



The toay to he Ha/ppy. 319 

unto the Lord." Get your mouth open. 
Give vent to the emotion of your heart. 
Praise the Lord. Think of his mercies. 
How beautiful he has made this world. 
See the sun pouring down its floods of 
golden light. See the fields and groves 
clothed with verdure and beauty. Gaze 
up at the starry heavens, and see the 
worlds of light flashing and sparkling 
their Creator's praise. Can we be dumb ? 
Do we not catch the inspiration that 
gladdens the face of nature ? The birds, 
the streams, the trees, the rocks, the hills, 
the fields^ the stars — everything says 
" Sing and give thanks." If clouds lower 
about you blow them away with the 
breath of song. 

When David was overwhelmed with 
sorrow, he would sing and pray until 
the darkness fled, and the lio-ht of hea- 
ven shone around him. The Lord was 
his light and his salvation. He gave 
him songs in the night. He brought 
him up out of the horrible pit and put a 
new song in his mouth. Paul and Silas 



320 Rays of Light. 

with bleeding backs and aching limbs, 
prayed and sang praises at the midnight 
hour, until the old prison at Philipi was 
lit up with celestial brightness. Martyrs 
have sung in the midst of flames and 
shouted praises to God, with lips quiv- 
ering in death. We have visited the 
hovels of the poor, the sick and the 
dying, and have found them rejoicing 
in a Saviours love. When we think 
how much others have suffered before 
us, and how happy they have been in 
the midst of all their afflictions, can Ave 
be fretful or unhappy ? Let us rather 
sing and give thanks, and show by so 
doing that we are followers of them who 
through faith and patience inherit the 
promises. Do you want your children 
to be happy? then let them sing. Do 
you want your home circle to be beau- 
tiful and lovely as a garden of flowers ? 
then make it cheerful and attractive 
Do you want your prayer-meetings to be 
seasons of joy and refreshing? then sin^ 
in the spirit. Do you want your own 



The way to he Happy, 321 

heart to be a well-spring of happiness, 
pouring its streams of gladness on all 
around? then let the word of Christ 
dwell in you richly in all wisdom, and 
sing and make melody with grace in 
your heart to the Lord. 



322 Bays of Liglit 



RAYS OF LIGHT. 

Psalm cxix. 129, 130. 

'* Thy testimonies are wonderful: the entrance of 
thy words giveth light." 

The best book that ever was printed 
is the Bible. There are a vast number 
of good books in the world, and it seems 
to me that even the poorest families 
might obtain a library in these days, 
when books can be purchased at such a 
small cost. Books are worth more than 
money or fine clothes, and with a little 
economy and selfdenial in worldly 
things, many dollars could be saved with 
which to fill up the shelves of the family 
library. Yet books are of but little 
value, only as they are studied. One 
volume well studied is of more value 
than many volumes not studied at all. 
The man of one book is often more in- 
telligent than the man of many volumes, 



Rays of Light. 323 



from the fact that he studies his one, 
more than the other does his many. But 
I took up my pen to say something 
about the Bible. This is the book of 
books. The truths of this book are of 
more value than the knowledge of all 
other books combined. Whatever other 
volumes we may lack let us not be desti- 
tute of this. However ignorant we may 
be of other things, let us not be ig- 
norant of the Bible. 

^^ Most wondrous book ! bright candle of the Lord, 
Star of eternity ! the only star 
By which the bark of man can navigate 
The sea of life and gain the coast of bliss 
Securely; only star which rose on Time, 
And on its dark and troubled biilows still, 
As generation, drifting swiftly by, 
Succeeded generation, threw a ray 
Of heaven's own light, and to the hills of God — 
The everlasting hills — pointed the sinner's eye." 

Is it surprising that the psalmist 
should exclaim, " Thy testimonies are 
wonderful ! '^ Surely the Bible is the 
most wonderful book that mortal feye 
ever gazed upon. 



324 Rays of Light. 

1st. It is wonderful in its Origin.— 
Not by human wisdom or ingenuity did 
this book come. All the combined wis- 
dom of the universe could not have Dro- 
duced such a volume. It is the produc- 
tion of an infinite mind. He, who cre- 
ated the heavens and the earth — the 
eternal God — infinite in wisdom and 
power — has handed down to man a 
transcript of his holy mind and will. 
Through the agency of His divine spirit 
in taking possession of human intellects, 
he has communicated to us his thoughts. 
^^ The prophecy came not in old time, 
by the will of man : but holy men 
of God spake as they were moved upon 
by the Holy Ghost. ^^ All Scripture is 
given by inspiration of God, and is pro- 
fitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor- 
rection, for instruction in righteousness: 
That the man of God may be perfect, 
thoroughly furnished unto all good 
works."— 2 Tim. 3, 16, 17. 

2d. It is wonderful in its Purity. 
It is not like some books which present 



Ray% of Light 325 

a fair exterior, while within there are 
thoughts to corrupt the imagination. 
Everything here is pure. It is a holy 
book. It came from a pure source, it 
was written by pure men, and it purifies 
the hearts of all who believe and prac- 
tice its teachings. It has elevated 
society and civilized nations more than 
all other volumes, Where can such a 
pure code of morals be found as in this 
book ? What) are the sacred books of 
false worshippers compared with the 
Christian's Bible? Do idolators teach 
and practice holiness ? Look over the 
world and mark well, where the Bible 
is received, and where it is not. Shall 
we have it in our schools ? Shall we 
have it in our families? Shall we let 
our children read it ? ^^ Wherewithal 
shall a young man cleanse his way ? by 
taking heed thereto according to thy 
word." Ps. cxix. 9. 

3d. It is wondeiful in its Unity. It 
does not contradict itself It is com- 
posed of different books, written by 

28 



326 Jiays of Light. 

men unknown to eacli other, who lived 
hundreds of years apart, yet they are 
all in harmony. It is not an instrument 
whose notes do not vibrate together — 
its music is harmonious from Genesis to 
Eevalation. Moses does not disagree 
with John, and John does not disagree 
with Moses. Paul does not contradict 
Isaiah, and Isaiah does not contradict 
Paul. The old and New Testament are 
in perfect unison. All the sacred wri- 
ters agree with each other — all discourse 
on the same grand and glorious themes 
There may be some apparent discrepan- 
cies, which skeptics and infidels may 
catch at, but a little study and careful, 
honest criticism will make all plain, and 
show the Bible to be a wonderfully 
harmonious book. 

4th. It is wonderful in Simplicity. 
Its language is plain and easy to be 
comprehended. The unlearned can un- 
derstand it. It does not come to us 
clothed in such high flown sentences that 
we need to have a doctor of divinity to 



Hays of Light 327 

explain it. We can read it for ourselves 
and exercise the same common sense in 
understanding it, that we would in read- 
ing any other book. The men who were 
chosen to write this book, were men of 
great wisdom and simplicity is a mark 
of wisdom. They used language that 
the common people could understand. 
The great majority of the human family 
are unlearned, and were the language 
of the Bible, not simple and easy to be 
understood, only few could receive bene- 
fit from it. But it is. Divine wisdom 
knew what man needed, and He has 
provided a book that all can read and 
understand. 

5th. It is wonderful in Profundity. 
Though its language is plain yet there 
are depths of wisdom which have not 
been penetrated. This book challenges 
the mightiest intellects to comprehend 
its prophecies. Here the deej)est 
reasoners, the profoundest thinkers, the 
greatest scholars may come and find a 
match for all their wisdom. Many have 



328 Rays of Light. 

gone down into this treasure-house, and 
brought out things new and old, and 
still there are depths of knowledge 
yet to be discovered. 

One who possessed a master-intellect, 
while surveying the wonders of this 
book, exclaimed. " O, the depth of the 
riches, both of the wisdom and know- 
ledge of God ! how unsearchable are his 
judgments and his ways past finding 
out. For who hath known the mind of 
the Lord ? or who hath been his coun- 
sellor ?'^ and it is said that even the 
"angels desire to look into these 
things." 

6th. It is wonderful in Variety. 
Here we may come and find something 
always interesting. Here is history, and 
poetry, and chemistry, and botany, and 
geology, and astronomy, and physiol- 
ogy, and biography, and geography, and 
geology, and theology. What a vari- 
ety of subjects for the intellect to feed 
upon ! Once I visited a Natural His- 
tory Museum and saw such a collection 



Rays of LighU 329 

* 
of natural curiosities as I never saw 

before. I looked and looked at dif- 
ent objects gathered from all parts 
of tbe world, until my eyes were weary, 
and I turned away to think of the 
wonderful things I had seen. The Bible 
is a Museum in which are gathered 
the treasures of the ages. Here is 
such a variety of the grand, the an- 
cient, and the beautiful in Nature, Art 
and Grace as will interest all class- 
es. Open the doors of this Temple and 
walk in, free of charge. Here gather 
wisdom from the treasure-house of Divine 
knowledge. 

7th. It is wonderful in Veracity. It 
is the word of truth, the gospel of salva- 
tion. There are many books we may read 
and for a time take an interest in them 
but when we learn that they are fiction, 
and not fact, we lose our interest. They 
cease to retain their hold upon our mind. 
Man likes something that he can rely 
upon. Here we have it. The Bible is 
not a cunningly devised fable. It car- 

23* 



330 Rays of Light 

ries witlim itself the evidence of its 
truthfulness. No person can read it 
with an honest mind, without being 
convinced that it is true. It describes 
human nature accurately, and not only 
this, but the fulfilment of its prophecies 
demonstrates it to be infallible. Every 
statement here is unfailing. Pilate once 
asked the question, '' What is Truth?" 
and the Saviour in his last prayer for 
his disciples furnishes an answer : ^^ Sane * 
tify them through thy truth, thy word 
is truth." 

8th. It is wonderful in its jFreshness. 
Other books we get weary of. After 
having read them through, we lay them 
one side, and they seem old to us. We 
care not to read them again. Not so 
with this volume. Like the returning 
dews of morning, which seem ever fresh 
and delightful, so the Bible as often 
as we read it seems always new. Those 
very chapters which we committed to 
memory in childhood, which we repeated 
in Sabbath School, and which we have 



Mays of Light. 331 

read hundreds of times since, seem jnst 
as fresh now and more so, as when first 
our infant lips uttered them. There is 
an inexpressible sweetness about the 
Scriptures. "Thy words were found, 
and I did eat them ; and thy word was 
unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine 
heart.'' More to be desired is this word, 
than gold, yea, than much fine gold, 
sweeter also than honey and the honey 
comb. 

9th. It is wonderful in \i^ Adaptation 
to Human Necessity. Have you not 
been surprised in reading the Scriptures, 
to find how perfectly adapted they were 
to your necessities. You felt a hunger- 
ing and thirsting atter something to feed 
your spiritual nature up'on, and here 
you found it. It gave you light, and 
comfort and strength as no other book 
could. It is by partaking of the sincere 
milk of the word that converts grow, 
and become strong. Man cannot live 
by bread alone, but by every word that 
proceedeth out of the mouth of Grod. 



332 Rays of Light 

Here is something that will meet the 
necessities of all classes, and conditions 
of men. . Here the young may find in- 
struction, the aged a staff to lean upon, 
the perplexed a light to guide them, 
the sorrowful a hope to cheer them, the 
dying a friend that will stand by them. 
Here is something adapted to every 
phase of human experience. 

10th. It is wonderful in its Power. 
No words have swept on with such 
power through the ages as this Word. 
It is quick and powerful, and sharper 
than a two edged sword. Skepticism, 
infidelity, superstition, idolatry and spir- 
itualism cannot stand before the power 
of Divine Truth. It searches, pierces, 
and discovers the thoughts and intents 
of the heart. It is a light that makes 
bare the darkness of iniquity. Every 
opposing element that comes dashing 
against this Rock will spend its force in 
vain. What wonderful victories have 
been achieved through the Bible. It 
has been the power of God unto salva- 



Ray 8 of Light 333 

tion to countless believing hearts. Still 
it sweeps on and triumphs. Clear the 
track when you see this train comings 
for it is the train of God's eternal truth, 
and heaven and earth will sooner pass 
away, than one jot or tittle of this, word 
fail to be fulfilled. 

11th. It is wonderful in its Preservor 
tion. The time has been when its ene- 
mies sought to destroy it. They hunted 
and searched, and every Bible that could 
be found was destroyed. Yet, the blessed 
Book lived. In the dark ages, when 
persecution raged, when Roman Cathol- 
icism prevailed, when Protestants were 
martyred by millions, when it seemed 
as if the light of the Gospel would be 
entirely extinguished, even then, the 
word of God lived, and came forth in 
the great Reformation, to shed its light 
far and wide over the nations. How 
wonderful the Bible has been in its cir- 
culation within the last century. Mil- 
lions and millions of Bibles have been 
published and sent into every land. 



334 Rays of Light. 

None need be without a copy of the 
Holy Scriptures now, for if any are too 
poor to buy, they can have one free of 
cost. Missionaries are ready to carry a 
Bible to every door where it is needed. 
In this we rejoice, not only because the 
poor have the gospel preached to them, 
but because the prophecies are being 
fulfilled which indicate the dawning of 
a bright and better day. Never shall I 
forget the first copy of the Bible that I 
ever called my own. Let me tell you 
how it was. Not many years ago I was 
a small lad living on a farm in the coun- 
• try. A minister moved into our neigh- 
borhood and began to hold meetings in 
the farm houses, from week to week. 
With other young friends I attended 
them and listened to the preaching, but 
was ignorant and somewhat careless of 
religious things. Soon the Spirit strove 
with me. I saw myself a sinner and 
realized my need of a Saviour. One 
evening after the minister had finished 
his sermon, I arose and made known my 



Mays of Light 335 

feelings, and asked an interest in the 
prayers of Christians. They prayed 
earnestly for me, and I began to pray 
for myself. It was not long before light 
broke into my mind, and I felt that I 
was forgiven. The dark cloud that had 
hovered over my path for a number of 
weeks was now banished. All nature 
seemed to praise God, and I was really 
a happy convert. Truly I could sing — 

'' Jesus all the day long 
Is my joy and my song; 
O that more his salvation I might see ; 
Thou hast loved me, 1 cried, 
Thou hast suffered and died, 
To redeem such a rebel as me." 

But I had no Bible, no guide book, 
no lamp to my path. I was ignorant of 
what to do or how to live a Christian. 
I thirsted for more light, for more in- 
struction. Some how or other I obtained 
fifty cents and away I hastened to the 
nearest store, and bought my first copy 
of the precious Bible. It was a cheap 
one, fine print, with no references be- 



336 Hays of Light. 

tween the verses, or on the margin ; but I 
thought it was the sweetest and prettiest 
book that I had ever seen. I began at 
Genesis and read it through. It was 
my companion by night and day. When 
I arose in the morning, I read it; when 
I returned from the field at noon and at 
night, I read it; when I went to meet- 
ing I took it with me. My little Bible 
was my daily companion. I thought 
more of it, no doubt, than some men 
think of thousands of dollars. And did 
I prize it too highly ? No, When I 
spent that fifty cents for a Bible it was 
the best bargain I ever made. It was 
the beginning of a new life to me. That 
money was deposited in Heaven's bank 
and will draw interest to all eternity. 
Two years from that time, at the age of 
seventeen, I began to preach the Gospel. 
Since then, I have attended thousands 
of religious meetings; have spoken thou- 
sands of times on Bible subjects, to 
thousands of people; have received thou- 
sands of dollars; have had thousands 



Mays of Light. 337 



of good hearty shakes of the hand with 
brethren in the Lord ; have been saved 
from thousands of snares and temptations; 
have been benefited in various ways thou- 
sands and thousands of times, and have 
found thousands of precious truths in the 
Bible which I did not know were there 
before I searched it for myself The Bible 
has been my light in darkness, my joy in 
sorrow, my song in affliction, my support 
in weariness, my guide in every perplex- 
ity. It is my chart, my compass, my 
beacon light. By it I discern the perils 
that surround me, and see the safe chan- 
nel which leads to the celestial harbor. 
I love the Bible because it has done so 
much for me. I love it because it has 
done so much for my friends, I love it 
because it has done so much for the 
world. I love it, most of all, because it 
tells me of Jesus. His name is the golden 
thread that runs through all its sacred 
pages. 

" Wonderful things in the Bible I see— 
This is the dearest that Jesus loves me." 
29 



338 Rays of Light 

Yes, Jesus loves me, and you, and all 
mankind. Tlie object of his coming 
into this world was to seek and to save 
that which was lost. This we shall see 
as we proceed to investigate some of the 
wonderful truths of the Holy volume. 
The Psalmist not only says, ^' Thy testi- 
monies are wonderful," but he also says, 
^^ The entrance of thy words giveth light." 
I can testify to the truthfulness of this : 
Once I was in complete darkness, but 
by a careful study of the Scriptures, I 
find among other things the following 

RAYS OF LIGHT. 

I. Mankind hy nahcre are sinners, 
and need a Savionr. This is veiy plain, 
yet many do not understand ii. By 
turning back to the first part of Genesis 
we see how things were in the begin- 
ning. Here we find that all things were 
originally created very good. There 
was no sin, no curse, no death. All was 
beautiful as far as the eye could see or 
the imagination roam. The earth pre- 



Rays of Liglit. 339 

sented one scene of transcendent loveli- 
ness. The morning; stars sano; too;etber, 
and all the sons of God shouted for joy. 
Man was placed in Eden, with the pros- 
pect of subduing the earth and having 
dominion over it. He possessed a mind 
capable of obeying or of disobeying his 
Creator. He was not a mere machine, 
only acting as he was acted upon. He 
was free to choose for himself Two 
courses were placed before him — right 
and wrong. Which did he choose ? 
Adam by transgression fell. What was 
the result? The ground was cursed. 
Sorrow and death came into the world. 
^' By one man sin entered into the world 
and death by sin." What effect had this 
sin upon the human race? "All have 
sinned and come short of the glory of 
God." Eom. 3. 23. " All we, like sheep, 
have gone astray ; We have turned every 
one to his own way." Isa. 53. 6. 

II. God loved the world in its fallen 
condition^ and promised a Saviour. It 
would have been just and right, after 



340 Rays of Light. 

man had sinned if his Creator had exe- 
cuted the penalty of His law immediately 
upon him. It was a great offense which 
Adam had committed, and the conse- 
quences of that transgressiion were to be 
terribly effective upon the human family. 
But in the bosom of the Eternal there 
was a fountain of grace. Notwithstand- 
ing the gates o± Eden were closed, the 
tree of life guarded, the earth cursed, 
and man's existence limited, yet, even in 
this we see marks of the Divine com- 
passion. The earth was still full of His 
riches. Long life was still vouchsafed 
to man. Each rising and setting sun, 
each returning harvest gave token of the 
Creator's goodness. But the greatest 
expression of His grace was seen in 
the promise of a Saviour. Looking out 
through blinding tears Adam and Eve 
caught glimpses of one brilliant star — 
it was the star of hope. '^ The seed of the 
woman shall bruise the serpent's head." 
Gen. 3. 15. 

IIL At the appointed time the prom- 



Rays of Light 341 

ised Saviour appeared. From the day 
his coming was first announced amid the 
retreating glories of Eden, he had been 
spoken of in promise, shadowed forth in 
types, sung of by poets, and predicted 
by prophets, until one dark night a bright 
angel came down from Heaven and said 
to the Shepherds of Bethlehem, '' Fear 
not ; for behold, I bring you good tidings 
of great joy, which shall be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day in the 
city of David a Saviour, which is Christ 
the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto 
you : Ye shall find the babe wrapped in 
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." 
Luke 2. 11, 12, The appointed time had 
arrived. He could not have come be- 
fore, he could not have come later. All 
of God's plans and purposes are in per- 
fect time and order. " When the fulness 
of time was come, God sent forth His 
Son, made of a woman, made under the 
law, to redeem them that were under 
the law, that we might receive the adop- 
tion of sons." Gal. 4. 4. 

29* 



342 Mays of Light 

IV. He vjas just such a Saviour as 
man needed. Had he been anything 
else than what he was, he would not 
have been saited to ourcoDdition. Man 
was not ODly lost in sin^ but without 
strength — unable to save himself. He 
needed one who could sympathize with 
him, and one who had power to deliver 
him. This, Jesus could do, for he was 
both a human and a divine Saviour. He 
was the Son of God, and the Son of man. 
Like us, He was born of a woman. He 
became one with us. He had a body 
like our own. Like us, He ate and 
drank, and rested and slept. Like us. 
He sorrowed, and wept, and felt. Like 
uSj He was often hungry, and thirsty, 
and laint, and weary. Like us, was He 
in all thing's, sin only excepted. '^ For 
verily He took not on Him the naWre 
of angels ; but He took on Him the seed 
of Abraham. Wherefore in all things 
it behoved Him to be made like unto 
His brethren, that He might be a merciful 
and faithful high priest in things per- 



Rays of Light. 343 

taining to God^ to make reconciliation 
for the sins of the people. For in that 
He himself hath suffered being tempted, 
He is able to succor them that are 
tempted." Heb. 2. 17, 18. 

V. He opened the way hy which man 
could he reconciled to God, Sin had 
raised a barrier between men and their 
heavenly Father. Jesus came to take 
that barrier out of the way. Sin had 
driven man away from God. Jesus came 
to brino; man back to God. The law 
had been broken. Jesus kept the law. 
The law was given by Moses, but grace 
and truth came by Jesus Christ. The 
law had no claim on Jesus, for he kept 
it perfectly, yet he suffered its penalty 
to redeem those who had broken it, and 
were unable to redeem themselves. God 
is satisfied with the death of His Son. 
He now calls upon men to cease their 
rebellion, and be reconciled to tjim. 
" All things are of God, who hath re 
conciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, 
and hath given unto us the ministry of 



344 Hays of LigTit. 

reconciliation ; to wit : tliat God was in 
Christ reconciling the world unto him- 
self, not imputing their trespasses unto 
them: and hath committed unto us the 
word of reconciliation. Now then we 
are ambassadors for Christ, as though 
God did beseech you by us : we pray 
you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled 
to God. For he hath made him to be 
sin for us who know no sin ; that we 
might be made the righteousness of God 
in Him." 2 Cor. 6. 19, 20, 21. 

VI. He lias provided salvation J or all 
who will ash for it ? The gospel was 
first offered to the Jews because they 
were God's peculiar people. Some from 
amongst them received it, but not alL, 
The death of Jesus broke down the mid- 
dle wall of partition between Jews and 
Gentiles. Salvation is now offered free 
to all classes. The Saviour's first com- 
mission to his disciples was " Go ye 
to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 
His last commission was '^ Go ye into 
all the world, and preach the gospel to 



Rays of Light. 345 

every creature, he that believeth, and is 
baptized shall be saved." God is no re- 
spector of persons. The fountain of 
mercy that was opened on Calvary sends 
its streams through all nations. Who- 
soever will, let him come and partake of 
the water of life freely. Whether young 
or old, rich or poor, it matters not. All 
can have salvation who will ask for it in 
faith '^ For it shall come to pass, that 
whosoever shall call on the name of the 
Lord shall be saved. — Acts ii. 21. 

VII. He saves Ms people from their 
sins in the present tense. I believe in a 
present salvation. Jesus came into this 
world to save sinners. He did not come 
to save them in their sins, but from 
their sins. His name indicated the work 
he was to perform. " Thou shalt call 
his name Jesus : for he shall save his 
people from their sins." He saved 
many when he was on earth. To the 
man sick with the palsy he said " Son, 
thy sins are forgiven thee." To the 
woman bowed in penitence at his feet he 



346 Rays of Light 

said "Thy faith hath saved thee, go in 
peace and sin no more." He saves to- 
day. All who trust in him know what 
present salvation means. His people do 
not walk in darkness. They have 
passed from death unto life. He is ex- 
alted as a Prince and a Saviour, to give 
repentance and remission of sins to all 
that will call upon him. From his 
throne he sends down a pardon here and 
there to all who truly believe. The way 
is simple. It is only to look and live. 
'^Look unto me all ye ends of the earth 
and be ye saved." Isa. xlv. 22. 

Vin. The object of his death was to 
7'edeem to himself a holy people. — As it is 
said '^ without holiness no man shall see 
the Lord." So it is said, "without 
shedding of blood there is no remission." 
One is dependent on the other. There 
can be no holiness without remission of 
sins, and there can be no remission of 
sins except through faith in the blood of 
Christ. The way to the crown is by the 
cross. It is the blood that maketh 



Rays of Light, 347 

atonement. Jesus died the just for the 
unjust, that he might bring us to God. 
His blood can cleanse from all sin, and 
purge the conscience from dead works to 
serve the livino^ and true God. It is in 
Him that ^' we have redemption through 
his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, ac- 
cording to the riches of his grace." 
" And you, that were some time alien- 
ated and enemies in your mind by 
wicked works, yet now hath he recon- 
ciled. In the body of his flesh through 
death, to present you holy and unhlmne- 
able and unreprovable in his sight!^ 
Col. i. 21, 22. 

IX. He gives the Holy Spirit to every 
true believer. When an individual is 
forgiven of his sins, the next thing for 
Mm to look for is the gift of the spirit. 
The Saviour promised this to his dis- 
ciples before he went away. '' Tarry," 
said he, " in Jerusalem,until ye be endued 
with power from on high." On tke day 
of Pentecost, this spirit came down with 
wonderful power. The disciples were 



ii 



348 Hafs of LigM, 



filled with it It has been in the world 
ever since, convincing men of sin, of 
righteousness, and of a judgment to 
come. This spirit dwells in believer, 
leads them into truth, comforts their 
hearts, and bears witness with their 
spirit, that they are the children of God. 
We are commanded to be ^^ filled with 
the spirit," to '' walk in the spirit," to 
* grieve not the spirit" Paul once 
asked certain individuals if they had 
^^ received the holy spirit since they be- 
lieved." This is an important question^ 
How is it with us ? Have we received 
the spirit? " Now, if any man have not 
the spirit of Christ he is none of his." 
Rom. viii. 9. 

X, His jpeople^ thoiigli holy^ are not 
exempt from sorrow^ trouble or death. 
The disciple cannot expect to be greater 
than his Lord. If He was a man of sor- 
rows, and acquainted with grief," it is 
no wonder if his followers have a por- 
tion of the ^ ame experience. None can 
escape affliction. The best and holiest 



Rays of Light. 349 

people are sometimes the greatest suffer- 
ers. Man that is born of a woman is of 
few days, and full of trouble. He cometh 
forth like a flower, and is cut down: 
he fleeth also as a shadow, and contin- 
ueth not." All human beings are mor- 
tal, and though some may possess pure 
hearts, yet they are subject to affliction, 
and to death like others. The sentence 
which consigns man to dust has not yet 
been revoked. The pure and good of 
all ages have died. Even David, the 
sweet singer of Israel — the man after 
Grod's own heart — ^4s not ascended into 
Heaven, but is both dead and buried, 
and his sepulchre is with us unto this 
day." Acts 2. 29, 34. 

XI. The resurrection of Christ shed 
light on the grave^ and opened the way 
to a future life. Though Christians are 
subject to death, they have a glorious 
hope of immortality. From the rock 
hewn tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, we 
see and trace a single brilliant ray of 
light and hope. If the dead Christ is 

30 



350 Rays of Light. 

alive, then there is a way out of death. 
It was in the morning early that the 
women came to the sepulchre, and lo ! 
they found the stone rolled away and 
an angel sitting upon it, which said unto 
them, ''Fear not: I know that ye seek 
Jesus, which was crucified. He is not 
here ; for he is risen, as he said. Come 
see the place where the Lord lay. And 
go quickly and tell his disciples that he 
is risen from the dead." Christ is alive. 
What joyful news. He showed himsell 
to his disciples by many infallible proofs, 
being seen of them forty days, and speak- 
ing of things pertaining to the kingdom 
of God. " So then after the Lord had 
spoken these things. He was received 
up into Heaven, and sat on the right 
hand of God." Mark 16. 19. 

XII. He will come hack again from 
Heaven to this world. Not forever will 
He remain away. He cannot be always 
separated from his people. He went 
up there to intercede, and to prepare 
mansions for those who love Him. But 



Rays of Light. 351 

He will come again. So He said to His 
disciples before He left them. ^^ Let not 
your heart be troubled : ye believe in 
God, believe also in me. In mv Father's 
house are many mansions; if it 
were not so, I would have told you. I 
go to prepare a place for you. And if I 
go and prepare a place for you I will 
come again, and receive you unto my- 
self; that where I am there ye may be 
also." And as he departed and went 
up into Heaven, two angels in white 
apparel, stood by the disciples, which 
also said, " Ye men of Galilee, why 
stand ye gazing up into Heaven ? this 
same Jesus, which is taken up from you 
into Heaven, shall so come in like man- 
ner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven." 
Acts 1. 11. 

XII L He will come personally^ visi- 
bly^ with His holy angels^ amid clouds of 
glory, Not in a disembodied, invisible, 
spiritual form will He return, but the 
'^ same Jesus " in '^ like manner" as he 
went away. It was a real Christ that 



352 Uays of Light 

died, it was a real Christ that was buried, 
it was a real Christ that rose from the 
dead and ascended into Heaven. It 
will be a real Christ that returns to this 
earth. He went up to Heaven with a 
body, He will come back with the same 
body. He was seen when He went up^ 
He will be seen when He comes back. 
He had angels for His guards and at- 
tendants when on earth, He will have 
angel escorts and attendants when He 
returns. He went up amid clouds of 
glory, He will come back with the same. 
" When the Son of man shall come in 
His glory and all the holy angels with 
Him, then shall He sit upon the throne 
of His glory.'^ 

"Behold, He cometh with clouds, and 
every eye shall see Him.'' Rev. 1. 7. 

Xiy. His coming will he sudden^ and 
unexpected hy the world. The prophe- 
cies will be fulfilled, and sigus in Heaven 
and earth will betoken His coming near, 
but the unbelieving will not heed them. 
There will be scoffers in the last days. 



Rays of LighU 353 

saying, ^' Where is the promise of His 
coEoing." The professed church will be 
in a corrupt and fearfully backslidden 
condition. Ministers will eat and drink 
with the drunken, smite their fellow ser- 
vants, and say in their hearts, ^' My Lord 
delayeth His coming," Love will wax 
cold, and iniquity abound. Crime will 
be on the increase, and distress and per- 
plexity will prevail. " As it was in the 
days of Noah, when they were eating, 
and drinking, marrying and giving in 
marriage, and knew not until the flood 
came, and took them all away ; So shall 
also the coming of the Son of man be." 
Take heed, for " as a snare shall it come 
on all thiem that dwell on the face of the 
whole earth." Luke 21. 35. 

XV. His coming is the Tiope of His 
people^ and will he desired and loolced 
foi\ hy those who truly love Him. While 
the world is in darkness and unbelief, 
the true Christian will be searching the 
Scriptures, discerning the signs of the 
times, and watching for his Saviour to 

30* 



354 Hays of Liglit 

come. " But ye brethren are not in dark- 
ness that that day should overtake you 
as a thief." '*For the grace of God that 
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all 
men. Teaching us that, denying ungod- 
liness and worldly lusts, we should live 
soberly, righteously and Godly in this 
present world ; Looking for that blessed 
hope and the glorious appearing of the 
great God and our Saviour Jesus hrist." 
Titus 2. 11-^13. 

Paul looked forward to this day as 
the time when he would receive his re- 
ward, and he anticipated a crown for all 
who loved the appearing of his Master. 
"I have fought a good fight, I have fin- 
ished my course, I have kept the faith. 
Henceforth there is laid up for me a 
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 
the righteous Judge, shall give me at 
that day ; and not to me only, but unto 
all them also that love his appearing." 
2 Tim. 4. 7, 8, 

XVL His coming will he the signal 
for the resurrection of the dead. JS'ow 



Rays of Light 355 

let us stick to the Bible if it knocks all 
our preconceived opinions overboard It 
is the word of God, that we want to 
prove every point. There is to be a res- 
urrection of the dead of both classes, the 
righteous and the wicked. '^ But this I 
confess unto thee, that after the way 
which they call heresy, so worship I the 
God of my fathers, believing all things 
which are written in the lavy and in the 
prophets. And have hope toward God 
which they themselves also allow, that 
there shall be a resurrection of the dead, 
both of the just and unjust." Acts 24. 
14 15. ^'Marvel not at this; for the 
hour is coming in the which all that are 
in the graves shall hear his voice and 
shall come forth, they that have done 
good unto the resurrection of life, and 
they that have done evil unto the resur- 
rection of condemnation." John 5. 28, 
29. ^' I charge thee therefore before God, 
and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall 
judge the quick and the dead at his ap- 
pearing and Jcingdomr 2 Tim, 4. 1. 



356 Hays of Light. 

XVII. This roill he the time for the 
judgment of the whole ivorld. Men cannot 
be judged until they are raised, so the 
judgment follows thje resurrection of the 
dead. '' Grod shall bring every work 
into judgment with every secret things 
whether it be good or bad." '^ I saw in 
the night visions, and^ behold, One like 
the Son of man came with the clouds of 
Heaven. A fiery stream issued and came 
forth from before him ; thousand thou- 
sands ministered unto him, and ten thou- 
sand times ten thousand stood before him; 
the judgment was set and the books were 
opened." Dan. 7. 10.^ " When the Son of 
man shall come in His glory and all the 
holy angels with Him, then shall He sit 
upon the throne of His glory, And before 
Him shall be gathered all nations ; and 
He shall separate them one from another, 
as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the 
goats." Matt. 25. 31, 82. '^ And the sea 
gave up the dead which were in it ; and 
death and hell delivered up the dead 
which were in them ; and they were 



Rays of Light 357 

judged every man according to their 
works." Rev. 20. 13. 

XVIII. He will tlien save Ms people 
with an everlasting salvation. Believers 
are saved 7iow from sin by faith ; then 
they will be saved finally, and com- 
pletely, with an everlasting salvation. 
Unto them that look for him shall he 
appear the second time without sin unto 
salvation. Some will be living when he 
appears. " Behold, I show you a mys- 
tery : we shall not all sleep, but we shall 
all be changed. In a moment, in the 
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : 
for the trumpet shall sound, and the 
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and 
we shall be changed. For this cor- 
ruptible must put on incorruption, and 
this mortal must put on immortality. 
So when this corruptible shall have put 
on incorruption, and this mortal shall 
have put on immortality, then shall be 
brought to pass the saying that is writ- 
ten : Death is swallowed up in victory, 
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, 



358 Rays of Light 

where is thy victory ? Thanks be to Grod, 
which giveth us the victory through our 
Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15. 51-57, 

XIX. The loioked will then he cast off 
at the left hand and forever destroyed. 
Sin is not to be continued forever. The 
wages of sin is death. Sinners must be 
punished. What shall be the end of 
those who reject the offers of mercy, and 
obey not the gospel ? " The Lord Jesus 
Christ shall be revealed from Heaven 
with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, 
taking vengeance on those who know 
not God, and that obey not the gospel. 
Who shall be punished with everlasting 
destruction from the presence of the 
Lord, and from the glory of His power ; 
when He shall come to be glorified in 
His saints, and to be admired in all them 
that believe." 2 Thess. 1. 7, 8, 9. He 
shall say to those on his left hand, '' Be- 
part from me, ye cursed, into everlasting 
fire, prepared for the devil and his 
angels." Sodom and Gomorrah are set 
forth as examples to the ungodly suffer- 



Rays of Light. 359 

ing the vengeance of eternal fire. '' Death 
and hel] were cast into the lake of fire." 
This is the second death. And whoso- 
ever was not found written in the book 
of life was cast into the lake of fire." 
Rev, 20. 14, 15. 

XX. Tlien the earth will he purified 
hy fire and restored to its former beauty 
and loveliness. The earth will be puri- 
fied, cleansed, all wickedness destroyed 
out of it, the curse removed, and then 
restored to more than its Eden like glo- 
ry. Jesus was received up into Heaven, 
there to remain, until the times of resti- 
tution of all things, which God hath 
spoken by the mouth of the holy proph- 
ets since the world beo;an. Acts 3. 21. 
'' The day of the Lord will come as a 
thief in the night; in the which the 
Heavens shall pass away with a great 
noise, and the elements shall melt with 
a fervent heat, the earth also, and the 
works that are therein shall be burned 
up. Seeing then that all these things 
shall be dissolved, what manner of per- 



360 , JRays of Light 

sons ought ye to be in all holy conver- 
sation and godliness. Looking for and 
hastening unto the coming of the day of 
God, wherein the Heavens being on fire 
shall be dissolved, and the elements shall 
melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless we^ 
according to His promise^ looh for new 
Heavens and a new earthy wherein dwell- 
eth righteousness^ 2 Pet. 3. 10-13. 

XXI. Tlie Saviour will then establish 
his Jcingdom on the renewed earth and 
with his saints reign forever and ever. 
Having raised the dead, judged the 
world, saved his people, destroyed the 
wicked, purified and restored the earth, 
He now establishes His kingdom, and 
begins His everlasting reign. "There 
was given Him dominion, and glory, and 
a kingdom, that all people, nations and 
lano;uao;es, should serve Him : His do- 
minion is an everlasting dominion, which 
shall not pass away, and His kingdom 
that which shall not be destroyed. Dan. 
7. 14." And the seventh angel sounded, 
and there were great voices in Heaven, 



Kays of LigJU. 361 

saying, ^^ The kingdoms of this world are 
become the kingdoms of our Lord and of 
His Christ ; and He shall reign forever 
and ever." Rev. 11. 15. "And the king- 
dom and dominion, and the greatness 
of the kingdom under the whole Heaven, 
shall be given to the people of the saints 
of the most High, whose kingdom is an 
everlasting kingdom, and all dominions 
shall serve and obey Him." Dan. 7. 27. 
Paradise is now restored. The domin- 
ion lost by the first Adam's transgres- 
sion, is now restored by the second Adam, 
and Jiere^ with His redeemed family, will 
He reigD in unparalleled glory forever 
and ever. How beautifully the Bible 
closes. ^^ And I saw a new Heaven and 
and a new Earth ; for the first Heaven 
and the first Earth were passed away; 
and there was no more sea. And I, 
John, saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, 
coming down from Grod out of Heaven, 
prepared as a bride adorned for her hus- 
band. And I heard a great voice out 
of Heaven saying, Behold the Tabernacle 

31 



S62 Ray 8 of Light 

of God is with men, and He will dwell 
with them, and they shall be His peo- 
ple, and God himself shall be with them 
and be their God. And God shall wipe 
away all tears from their eyes ; and there 
shall be no more death^ neither sorrow 
nor crying, neither shall there be any 
more pain ; for the former things are 
passed *away. And He that sat on the 
throne said, Behold 1 make all things 
newP Rev. 21. 1-7. Are not these glo- 
rious promises? I have quoted them 
from the Bible. What other book tells 
of such a Saviour and presents such a 
hope ? There is none like it. As Christ 
is the King of kings, so the Bible is the 
King of books. It is more precious than 
gold. O yes, — 

" This holy book I'd rather own, 
Than all the gold and gems 
That e'er in monarch's coffers shone, 
Than all their diadems. 

Nay, were the seas one chrysolite, 

The earth one golden ball, 
And diamonds all the stars of night, 

This book was worth them all. 



Hays of LigTit ' 363 

Ah, no! the soul ne'er found relief 
In glittering hoards of wealth ; 

Gems dazzle not the eye of grief ; 
Gold cannot purchase health. 

But here a blessed balm appears 

To heal the deepest woe ; 
And those who read this book in tears, 
Their tears shall cease to flow." 



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